Review of Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) by Elizabeth M — 21 Sep 2010

How do you go on living when all hope seems lost? Dear Zachary: A letter to a Son About His Father is a heartbreaking and powerful documentary about the murder of a well-loved charismatic man named Andrew.

Kurt Kuenne finds out that his best childhood friend Andrew has been murdered. So he sets off to make a home movie for the son Andrew leaves behind. Traveling across the country he interviews Andrew?s friends, coworkers, and family members. Every single interview reveals how much of a great person Andrew was. You start to wonder how did this happen to some one who has made such a strong positive impact? It was Andrews known selflessness that put him in a dangerous situation. It all started when he got involved with the wrong woman. Soon learning this woman may be a bit maladjusted he tries to break it off, but with Andrew being an all around nice guy it proved to be a little harder than he imagined. The next thing you know Andrew is dead shot 5 times in the back left in an empty parking lot. Leaving only one person in question we find out this cold-blooded killer his pregnant with Andrew?s child. You think this story would soon be over, but it has really just begun.

This is one of the most devastating yet touching documentaries I have yet to see. Not only about a personal struggle with loss but also with justice. It may be very despairing but it?s also very eye opening and I think everyone should see it. Just when you think this story has a end it only gets more intriguing and sorrowful.