Capturing the Friedmans

smndvdcl

What a bleak world we live in and a documentary that will leave you jaded. This harrowing tale is not entertainment, but it is important. The blurred lines between truth and fiction are astonishing - from what crimes were and were not committed, to the real and false victims. The process of justice becomes increasingly convoluted when truth lies somewhere in-between. Its legacy lies in docs like 'Making a Murderer'.

Harry Rossi

A disturbing, haunting and all around wonderful documentary. Absolutely fascinating. The shifting points of view, the video tape footage and just the story itself is almost too good to be true. Honestly I don't really think we'll probably ever know what happened, but that's certainly not the point or what makes this film so completely fascinating. A beautiful portrait of a completely dysfunctional family.

El Biffo

I love how the convicted child molester now works as a clown for hire at children's parties. Call him up if you live in NYC and need a convicted sex offender to entertain at a Bat-Mitzvah or something. Truth is stranger than fiction and this story is even stranger, as it is somewhere in that middle ground between truth and fiction.

Lights in the Dusk

The story is fascinating and works well to expose the prying voyeurism of the viewer, just as the personal recordings expose the shortcomings and insecurities of the family on-screen. However, it's too one-sided to really work. Jarecki denies the audience legitimate testimony from victims and instead gives only testimony from those that maintain the family's innocence, and a lone fantasist clearly making it all up.

Skinnedteen

There's a bunch of things left out in the documentary such as Jesse's confession in the Geraldo show, the amount of child pornography evidence found in their house, and Ross Goldstein's testimony. This made the documentary seem like the evidence is weak.

Phil Worfel

Whew. Disturbing and amazingly effective. Ended up discussing this one for hours and hours afterward. Tremendous storytelling with a subjects ripe for debate. Watch it!

LoverofLeCinema

That's an insane amount of rape. This film gets under your skin, makes you weary of your own loved ones, and is just plain creepy. I'm not sure if it had to be made, but it is compelling and the footage collected and edited together is nothing short of stunning.

T. J. Mesen

The manipulation of image and information in this one, oh dear. I guess I'm saying I kinda wish this wasn't a documentary.