PHILADELPHIA — "Our American Family," a documentary about an Ardmore woman’s recovery from opioid addiction, premiered on AMC+ last week.
The 87-minute film, produced by Haverford’s World of HA Productions, follows Nicole, a 28-year-old woman, for a year after she completes her 17th stint in rehab and is on the cusp of starting a new life. She holds down a job for the first time and tries to repair her relationship with her family.
Because Nicole took opioid pills, shot heroin and smoked crack for 16 years, her family is weary. They are tired of the drama and over the lies. They doubt Nicole’s commitment to sobriety and treat her with contempt, especially her younger brother Chris, who also struggles with addiction. Nicole, too, doesn’t trust herself. These family dynamics are painful to watch and there are many times when I wondered if Nicole would manage to stay clean.
