Review of Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) by Adam B — 24 Dec 2011

'Dear Zachary' is a distressing story where the director's intimate involvement creates truly painful and infuriating viewing. You cannot help but feel miserable, as I did. Though the after-taste is bitter, once you realise how this story was told in such a shamelessly manipulative way.

For a documentary, there is very little actual analysis, seeking of answers or context given to important elements. It boils down to being a dramatization of real events, tragedy exploited in favour of an aesthetic component. Important aspects are simplified and used as emotional tools; the editing is embarrassing; the narrative and presentation is extremely subjective and heavy-handed. The film works on that basic emotional level, but it feels cheap and underdone. Passion is vital in film, but it is only toxic in 'Dear Zachary'. Instead of asking important questions having a strong argument to make, director Kurt Kuenne leads a mucky and misguided lashing out.

This can be forgiven, due to the filmmakers long history with the family involved, but documentaries should strive to be rational and impartial, rather than temperamental and effusive. A more reserved film could have produced the same emotions in a more tactful manner.