Review of Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) by Thomas W — 23 May 2011

The film/documentary is so earnest in its message/tribute to a slain friend of the director (and many, many, many others) that one forgives its lack of polish or high-end production values (it was perhaps edited and put together on a computer).

The story at its heart -- a true one -- is maddening and jaw-droppingly infuriating. It is about the un-calculable errors of a flawed judicial system and of flawed individuals in positions of power who are incapable of understanding what it is that they are doing (that some of these people can possibly sleep at night is disheartening).

Dr. Andrew Bagby was a genuinely likable young man who was dumped by a friend/fiancee as he was in medical school in Newfoundland, Canada (she was in the San Fran area). The two remained friends (I am assuming -- as she is interviewed extensively for this film) as he met and dated a fellow medical student 12-years his senior named Shirley Turner.

After these two broke up, Shirley didn't know how to handle herself ... and the result is this documentary. Filmed as a tribute to the son of Dr. Bagby, the film eventuallly finds itself taking some new, unexpected twists as a deranged woman plays every system imaginable .

.. and what she does and how she manipulates others is UNbelievable. If it weren't true ... I wouldn't believe a story like this was possible. This film will incite outrage and fury and by the end some tears will be shed (or a large lump will form in one's throat bringing on a throbbing headache) because of the anger ALL will feel towards DR.

Shirley Turner. Ugh ... puh-lease. Think of the worst person in the world ... and then realize Shirley Turner ranks right up there with him/her. This film took some guts and strength to finish and I commend Kurt Kuenne for doing it.