Since his brother was killed in 2014, young teenager Dayveon
has lived with his sister and her boyfriend. He is loved, but he is longing to
belong and to make sense of his brother’s death. The only belonging he has from
his brother is his brother’s loaded handgun. Dayveon is jumped into a street
gang, and joins them in robberies. He is uncomfortable with the crimes in which
he has participated. In one crime, he and one other gang member rob a poker
game, and one of the victims is Dayveon’s sister’s boyfriend. Later, the
boyfriend confronts Dayveon, affirms that he loves him, and challenges Dayveon’s
involvement in the gang. It’s uncertain what Dayveon will choose to do.
The Adoption
Connection
Dayveon’s parents are never mentioned. He lives with his
sister and her boyfriend. He has one close friend, and has also been jumped
into a gang.
Strong Points
Even though Dayveon has entered into a criminal life – and participated
in a robbery against him – his sister’s boyfriend makes strong efforts to
invest in Dayveon’s life.
Challenges
Language, gang involvement, and violence will push this
movie out of the comfort zone for many viewers.
Recommendations
Dayveon is an interesting study of the life of a fictional
but very realistic Arkansan teenager. I wouldn’t recommend this for kids, but
parents could find it meaningful to notice how the love of a parent could have
been formational in Dayveon’s life.
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