Watch A Chance in the World

A Chance in the World is a 2017 movie based on the New York Times bestselling memoir of Steve Pemberton, one of the very few people in the world who spent his entire childhood in foster care. The film revolves around the life of Steve Pemberton (played by Terrell Ransom Jr. as a young boy and Jay Mitchell as an adult), who was born into a troubled family and had to endure unimaginable abuse and neglect before being placed in the foster care system.

The movie begins with Steve's birth, which took place in a dirty and dangerous tenement building in New Bedford, Massachusetts. His mother, struggling with her own issues, abandoned him soon after his birth, and his father (played by Tom Sizemore) was an alcoholic and heroin addict who spent most of his time in and out of prison. Steve's early years were marked with hunger, squalor, and physical abuse, as his father used to beat him mercilessly with a belt and leave him alone for hours without food or water.

When Steve was six years old, he was brought to the attention of the state and placed in a series of foster homes. However, none of these homes provided him with the love, care, and stability that every child deserves. He was often subjected to emotional and physical abuse by his foster parents and moved from one home to another every few months. Despite the emotional and physical trauma he endured, Steve never gave up hope and continued to hold on to the dream of finding his real family.

Throughout the movie, we see Steve's unwavering determination to create a life for himself, despite the odds. He is taken under the wing of a kind and caring caseworker (played by Kelly Owens), who helps him navigate the challenges of the foster care system and provides him with the emotional support he needs. Over time, Steve begins to build relationships with people who genuinely care about him, including a kind-hearted doctor who provides him with a home, and a supportive teacher who encourages his love of learning.

The movie also explores Steve's journey of self-discovery, as he learns more about his family history and comes to terms with the painful truth of his past. Through flashbacks, we see snippets of Steve's time with his birth mother and father, as well as his attempts to track down his family members as an adult. These scenes are particularly moving, as they highlight the deep emotional scars that Steve carries with him even after leaving the foster care system.

Despite the heavy subject matter, A Chance in the World is an inspiring and uplifting movie that celebrates the resilience and strength of the human spirit. The performances of the cast members are particularly noteworthy, with Terrell Ransom Jr. delivering a remarkable performance as the young Steve. Tom Sizemore is also excellent, portraying the complexity of Steve's troubled father with nuance and depth.

In summary, A Chance in the World is a powerful and poignant movie that shines a light on the experiences of those who have grown up in the foster care system. It is a must-watch for anyone seeking to better understand the challenges and struggles of young people who have been deprived of a stable and loving home environment. The movie reminds us that even in the face of unimaginable adversity, there is always hope for a better future.

A Chance in the World is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.