Review of Capturing the Friedmans (2003) by Joshua G — 18 Dec 2011

The film works on two fascinating levels - on one, the twisting legal story of the Friedman family, whose father "figurehead" is embroiled in a child molestation case. On the second, a parallel story plays on the question of the nature of truth, both in documentaries and in reality.

In some of the most telling sequences, talking heads are edited directly against each other with directly contradictory stories. We also hear, rather than see, how the police may have distorted reality, and the suggestion is that the community rallies behind a common cause of child abuse, Simpsons angry mob style.

All too believable. Meanwhile, home video footage is presented of the family that seems more fake than reconstruction. The family is certainly dysfunctional, but beyond that It's impossible to draw conclusions.

But of course people always will - QED.