Eugene Jarecki is developing quite the name for himself in the documentary scene. Last year's Reagan was a well-received Sundance entry and this year he brings The House I Live In, a sprawling look at the war on drugs in contemporary American culture.
As Jarecki traces his idea from one decade to the next, it becomes increasingly apparent that the war on drugs involves more than just cops and junkies. There is a sense of grand scale to the whole thing as Jarecki begins in his own home and travels to Miami to New York and even to rural Iowa. Most interesting is the connection of drugs to different decades and ethnicities. It makes for really engaging filmmaking.
Ultimately, The House I Live In boils down to a very entertaining, slightly overlong history lesson on drugs in the United States. Intriguing interviews, though, especially with the creator of The Wire and a straight-faced, bushy-bearded history wizard, make this House more than just the sum of its parts.
The House I Live In is competing in the US Documentary Competition.
