A Chance in the World

2018 • 105 minutes

About this movie

Based on the award winning book, A Chance in the World is the unbelievably true story of Steve Pemberton, a wounded and broken boy destined to become a man of resilience and vision. From the day he is five-years-old and dropped off at his foster home of the next eleven years, Steve (Tercel Ransom Jr.) is mentally and physically tortured by Betty (Kelly Owens/his foster mother), Willie (Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs/ her husband) and his foster siblings. Desperate for a sense of family and belonging, Steve searches for his biological parents, but no one in the system can help him. No one can tell him why, with obvious African-American features, he has the last name of Klakowicz. Eventually, through the help of his high-school teacher John Sykes (Tom Sizemore) and his love of literature, Steve finds that family isn't just a biological function, it's a choice based in love.

Ratings and reviews

This movie shows the hatred that black people have for one another through this little boy's life. Black people need to stop and think about how they speak to children because it forms their lives in either a positive way to relinquish the life that has been given them or in a negative way and be killed before their time. I'm glad he had the fortitude to choose the former. A movie that makes you think about human frailty and abuse. I could not wait to see the ending to see if you was victorious.

Very believable, i got into the story . and hated some and some loved and wanted me to stick up for the young man ,which he did most awsome job . he is going to go far. Totally love this young man. May u all keep telling stories.u all were great. Keep shining like a diamond so god can see ur brightness shine, we r all diamonds in the ruff and the more satan messes with our ruff the bigger and brighter we get so god can see us shine more ,remember u can't destory a diamond they r forever. The kk

This being true only hurt my heart. This world is going to hell in a hand basket and this movie is a perfect example of how. I understand wanting to know who you are and where you come from. It only makes you want better for yourself and fight a little harder to prove everyone that had said you couldn't do it wrong at the same time.