Review of Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) by Fallon B — 10 May 2016

Alexis Newberry.

May 4, 2016.

"Dear Zachary".

My overall impression of this film is that it's a great film. It kept your eyes on the screen it kept you into the movie, there was never a dull moment. The film contained so much detail suspense. I loved that the movie was something that actually happened, all of the characters were actually apart of Andrew's life the mom and dad were really is. It wasn't like a movie that had characters playing their parts it was actual pieces.

The plot of the film was based all around a woman named Shirley Turner and Andrew. Andrew was a man who everyone loved and got along with so well. He was married to a woman, but they got a divorced and Andrew started to date Shirley. Shirley was 40 at the time and Andrew was only 28 which is why everyone questioned their relationship. Andrew lived in Ohio and Shirley lived in Canada. When they broke up Andrew sent her on a plane 13 hours long back to Canada and the next day she was at his doorstep asking for them to talk. Andrew didn't think any harm could have been done and when they went to a park Shirley shot him and killed him. Kurt which is the maker of the film went around interviewing everyone who had known Andrew because they found out Shirley was 4 months pregnant and he wanted to make the film for his son. Shirley keeps getting put into jail, but they release her every time and Andrews parents are so loving they would drive Andrews son (Zachary) to the jail so she could see him. The unexplainable happens at the end of the movie that you can not even place into words.

The people Kurt interviewed were great candidates for the movie. They all personally knew him, so whatever the information was that they knew about Andrew they told Kurt. He interviewed people from cousins all over the world, roommates from college, family friends, colleagues, and just about anyone you can think of. Everyone he interviewed basically covered the sentimental portion of the movie, they gave all of the detail, and all of the action. Some of the information Kurt wasn't even aware of and Andrew and Kurt were friends for over 20 years.

Kurt used one oblivious film technique which was repetition. When something serious was going on he added sound effects that added to the feeling. He definitely made you feel sad like the parents and family members were. When something such as blood was involved he would add a tint of red. It gives you this overwhelming feeling that suspense that made you feel so upset.

The film did a great job at addressing the overall aspect of the story. It made me feel like I knew the story personally. I understood the story and it all made sense. It connected to the real story greatly because it was the real story. It wasn't fake actors it was the real people who were actually in their lives. Kurt did such a good job at this film entirely hands down I think everything was spot on.

The ending to the movie was definitely such an unexpected ending. You can never guess what is going to happen. Everyone that watched the movie as well was very into it. It honestly kept your attention it kept you interested in it. There was never a dull moment in the movie that you thought this is so boring. I would say to go see this movie, it is a good watch.