MovieChat Forums > Methadonia (2005) Discussion > Bad Docudrama

Bad Docudrama

posted 18 years ago by SouthernDrawl
9 replies | jump to latest

I was very disappointed to see this come from HBO. The film makers should have provided a balanced perspective on the legitimate use of methadone rather than rely on those poor addicts - the inmates ran this asylum.

It is clear that the doing of methadone needs more research but addicts watching this biased movie are more likely to give up treatment than work to find their efficacious treatment level.

There is no way that this film worked. Skip it if you haven't seen it, unless you enjoy seeing addicts in their weakest moments.

[–] nitsnitty 18 years ago

i got that impression from reading the synopsis on hbo.com. what is unfortunate is that there are plenty of people that methadone works for. they aren't the ones gobbling pills living in a permanent nod... i guess they aren't as interesting either.

[–] Xcalat3 17 years ago

It wasn't that bad Imo

I Worship The Goddess Amber Tamblyn

[–] chopper0116 17 years ago

I am going to watch it tonight or tomorrow. I waited for a long time for it to arrive from Blockbuster online and will give it a chance. Thanks for the insight to watch it with an open mind and ignore the reviews II-Xcalate-II

[–] EMulvey 15 years ago

My class (studying to be an alcoholism/substance abuse counsellor) watched this movie tonite & I thought it portrayed the addicts as pathetic manipulators. I know of people who have had great success on methadone and don't then become addicted to it. If I were currently in treatment with methadone and watched this movie, I'd go back on H because this movie clearly did not portray any success stories.

It didn't even address the cases of obvious mental illness. Any CASAC's in training (or post)out there that care to weigh in?

[–] SouthernDrawl 15 years ago

You are a rare viewer who has had medical experience. You know of the errors that the filmmaker committed - gross negligence in my opinion.

[–] ultimatewraith 15 years ago

I am a current Suboxone patient. Came off methadone to go to Suboxone. Doesn't matter to me. I respect and understand opioid dependent people no matter what maintenance drug they are on.

While I don't agree with every point attempting to be made in the movie in question. I did enjoy the movie very much so. I don't believe the film maker was attempting to be anti-methadone, just neutral.

I, myself, am for pushing methadone to a Schedule III Class and increasing the number of clinics to support EVERY COUNTY in the southern United States. There are people out there not getting the help they need and could be getting with the changing of a law or two. And it's a damn disgrace to this country.

[–] Devans00 15 years ago

I thought the fact that the movie wasn't from an "authority figure" point of view is what made it valuable. I'm happy that Methadonia wasn't yet another smug talking head documentary treating the "actors" like infants or lab rats.

The point where Steve came to the realization that the Methadone distributors didn't want him to detox was enlightening. They preferred him as a permanent patient. I knew this was the case with other non-profits funded according to headcount. I figured a medical clinic would somehow be different.

I notice you use the word enjoy in your comments. I didn't see anyone on film having fun or even being all that happy. Except when the couple had their baby and Steve talking about his girlfriend. I believe the purpose of the documentary was to shine a light on a topic most mainstream people are not directly familiar with. Not to be an enjoyable laugh riot.

No two persons ever watch the same movie.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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