The documentary Life of Crime: 1984-2020 follows the lives of three friends, Shawn, Boots and Hanif, who grew up together in Newark, New Jersey. The film explores the impact that drug addiction has had on their lives, tracing their struggles with substance abuse from their teenage years in the 1980s to the present day.
The documentary provides an unflinching look at the personal toll of addiction on each of the three men. Shawn, an articulate and thoughtful man, describes his initial experimentation with drugs as a way to fit in with his friends, but quickly became hooked on heroin. Boots, a charismatic but volatile presence, started using drugs at a young age and spent years in and out of prison as he struggled to kick his addiction. Hanif, a more introverted figure, also fell into drug use, eventually losing his home, his job, and his health as a result of his addiction.
The film also delves into the broader societal factors that contributed to the men's struggles with addiction, including poverty, racism, and the lack of access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment in their communities. Life of Crime: 1984-2020 also explores the impact of addiction on the men's families, including their children and partners, who have also been affected by the cycle of drug use and incarceration.
The documentary is filmed over the course of 36 years, allowing viewers to see the long-term impact of addiction on the men's lives. Despite the challenges they face, each of the men is determined to break free from their addiction and rebuild their lives. The film ultimately offers a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
