Cert TBA
93 mins
BBFC advice: TBA
"I thought there was a stereotype homeless person and they got there because of a drink or drugs problem and that it was their own fault.
"Now I will never ever look at a homeless person in the same way."
The words of Beverley Hudson sum up her daughter Daisy-May's heartbreaking and very personal film better than any review of mine possibly could.
Daisy-May recorded the plight of her family while they were homeless for nearly a year, being shoved from one temporary home to another at the mercy of a council which spent thousands of pounds trying to prove it wasn't responsible for them.
The Hudsons lost their home when Tesco, their landlord for more than a decade, gave them notice.
Despite, working full-time, Beverley, a single parent, could not find suitable accommodation which she could afford and, therefore, had no choice but to announce her and her daughters homeless.
This began a horrendously stressful time in which they had to battle against a council which seemed not to care about 14-year-old Bronte's education or the family's well-being.
The documentary began as a therapeutic process for the family but became the latest movie critique of the British housing crisis and the faceless state benefit system.
The irony is that the film begins on the happiest of days when Daisy-May receives her degree.
From then on, there are far more tears than smiles as Beverley tries desperately to find a suitable home.
The press publicity surrounding the film claims there are parts which are 'hilarious' but I can't say I found any of it funny. This is probably because I find it a very familiar and depressing story.
I am on the board of the Derbyshire branch of the YMCA so I have come to learn what homelessness can mean to teenagers who believe the world is against them.
Sadly, I have seen that politicians talk the talk but fail to walk the walk, blaming each other for the plight of the welfare state while real people are caught in their verbal crossfire.
What I felt Half Way lacked was an explanation from those who run the system. I don't know whether Daisy-May asked for interviews but even if she had it would not have surprised me if nobody would have accepted responsibility and taken the time to defend the indefensible.
This is an ever greater indictment on society than homelessness itself. Too few want to change a system that is broken and seems just content to try to stay up for it.
Reasons to watch: shows the stark reality of homelessness in Britain today
Reasons to avoid: only gives one side to the story
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 7.5/10
Star tweet
Toby Moses 'Who’s responsible for the housing crisis? Let's name it after them to hold them accountable' @dsyhdsn @halfwaydocu
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