Review of Capturing the Friedmans (2003) by Michelle . — 30 Jan 2004

Wow, that's really a crazy documentary. Currently kind of being involved as a fan in this case about Michael Jackson and watching this movie really moves you a lot. It summarizes all the feelings you can have in that kind of child abuse allegations and do not know for a fact what the truth is, but just can try to come to your personal conclusion.

[b]Capturing The Friedmans[/b] also doesn't really give a final answer to what the truth was in the end, whether child abuse did happen or not. I'm really not sure, but I guess most people will think the father was guilty, and the son was not. But the very different testimonies of alleged victims are just confusing again, and you wonder who's been manipulated and who's telling the truth. But I guess the mother is being very realistic, and what she says is exactly what I've already felt at times, too - the eyes look straight and can see, but the brain just doesn't realize it and can't see, can't think straight, is in denial. You've got the facts in front of your eyes, but your brain can't grasp it and doesn't believe it.

I think this documentary is really well-done. The topic is very difficult. To make this movie about your own family sure wasn't an easy task. And to show up all the different emotions and thoughts so clearly in one movie and let the audience feel all the confusion, too, is really a great job. I really can recommend this movie. It shows how careful you need to be making early judgments, it's really not easy sometimes to find out the truth.