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Capturing the Friedmans
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Capturing the Friedmans

2003
Documentary
Biography
1h 47m
In the 80's, in the upper-middleclass district of Great Neck, the awarded Professor Arnold Friedman is arrested for possession of some magazines of child pornography. A further investigation of the police discloses that apparently Arnold and his eighteen years old son Jesse molested his young students during their private computer class. Their Jewish family tears apart with the situation and the sentences of Arnold and Jesse. (imdb)
Directed by:
Andrew Jarecki Andrew Jarecki
Starring:
Arnold Friedman David Friedman Elaine Friedman Jesse Friedman
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Genres:
Documentary, Biography
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Capturing the Friedmans

2003
Documentary
Biography
1h 47m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 69.17% from 1527 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 23 Nov 2009
100
98th
Masterpiece of a documentary, this shows just how powerful an alternative take on the genre can be. Abandoning the troublesome "make-reality-fit-narration" schema, Capturing the Friedmans is a "did he do it" that evokes the spirit of Rashomon. Rather than jumping to conclusions the story respects and displays the different views and motives, to finally show a great problem with democracy: It all comes down to what people saw - or think they saw.
Rated 23 Nov 2009
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 26 Oct 2011
90
92nd
THEY PEE IN A CUP AND THROW IT AT YOU
Rated 26 Oct 2011
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 05 Apr 2009
8
82nd
It's pretty obvious these people are guilty, I don't understand the confusion among reviews I've read. I mean, Arnold admits to molesting 2 boys at least (which is enough to warrant him to be stoned to death) plus his brother, who later turns out to be gay... SHOCKING. Pedophiles are the scum of the universe and it disgusts me knowing that Jesse only gets 13 years for sodomizing all these people. Fucking sick.
Rated 05 Apr 2009
aicheAICHE
Rated 05 Jan 2011
79
75th
definitely leap-frogged the kids.
Rated 05 Jan 2011
frederikaFrederikA
Rated 19 Mar 2010
95
98th
Extremely wellcrafted and moving documentary that manages to -well- capture a really unique family, as it slowly disintegrates. And even though its not too hard to figure out where the director sympathies lay, he still gives enough time to counterarguments and different versions of the truth, to make the audience question what really happens...
Rated 19 Mar 2010
td888td888
Rated 14 May 2011
60
57th
I was not familiar with the story but it was still intriguing to watch. But as a documentary it is very one-sided, and I would like to have seen some more digging into certain facts and aspects of what was supposed to have happened and what certain people did or said.
Rated 14 May 2011
calabriaCalabria
Rated 06 Dec 2011
87
91st
poor mother
Rated 06 Dec 2011
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 26 Aug 2018
80
77th
Son: "Do you like it when she calls you slime?" Dad: "She doesn't call me slime- everyday." The contradictory statements and general confliction between sides is thought provoking to be sure but while the film for the most part seems to be striving for objectivity, it came off more than a little too sympathetic for Friedman's given all of the information out there.
Rated 26 Aug 2018
qvtQVT
Rated 07 Sep 2009
50
56th
It's like the story of Roger Clemens if there was any doubt that he had indeed raped that kid.
Rated 07 Sep 2009
bingbing
Rated 09 Jan 2012
60
30th
Hard to talk about this one- take away the absurdly interesting subject matter and this is just very vanilla documentary filmmaking.
Rated 09 Jan 2012
jstryjstry
Rated 25 Mar 2009
90
91st
Very uncomfortable to watch and I wouldn't want to see it a 2nd time, but as far as documentaries go, it's pretty amazing. Not only did Jarecki have a great topic, but the footage that the family themselves took of their own breakdown...you can't get any better than that. I love when families in crisis turn the camera on themselves. It's fascinating. I don't know what to believe about the allegations, but I like that you get to decide for yourself and both sides are presented. Makes you think.
Rated 25 Mar 2009
krf7krf7
Rated 23 Aug 2010
95
97th
A documentary that runs the gamut on topics: mass hysteria, the power of suggestion, police investigative tactics, the breakdown of a family in the face of crisis. But most of all, it brings to mind the importance of "innocent until proven guilty" and how that is sort thrown by the wayside when faced with heinous acts that allegedly occured.
Rated 23 Aug 2010
hellsditchhellsditch
Rated 26 Mar 2009
90
93rd
Unflinching look at a family embroiled in a dark and sordid crisis, and their reaction to the spectacle and each other. A "normal" documentary would ONLY be concerned with the question, "Are these people guilty?" And although the filmmakers DO spend some time addressing that issue, even more time is spent asking the (more interesting) question, "How in the hell do you arrive at the truth?" A very potent synthesis of E. Morris' great "Thin Blue Line",and the lesser-known "51 Birch Street".
Rated 26 Mar 2009
davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 14 Aug 2007
97
96th
Jarecki constructs a film that is about matters of truth and trust. Despite the fact that one family member had a pathological compulsion to videotape the bitter, private family fights that occurred (footage that Jarecki utilizes with a perfect mix of revelation and restraint) the cold, hard facts of the situation remains painfully elusive. What emerges instead is a family populated by deeply destructive individuals and how easy it is for people to conceal the truth, especially from themselves.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 17 Jan 2010
81
64th
While it doesn't give you answers and reveals itself to be a little one sided it is fascinating to watch a messed up family dynamic go through what is shown in the film. It also raises some interesting questions about emotional reactions to horrible crimes.
Rated 17 Jan 2010
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 16 Jan 2009
98
97th
No1's what they seem in this brilliantly crafted investigation into pedo accusations against superficially white-picket-fence family.The film proves innocence and guilt almost simultaneously: whileRadecki's digging seems to indicate that the specific allegations are false, the dirt uncovered is just as bad.Community hysteria&family's reactions2 the allegations initially surprise, but are real-life demonstration of how people(on both sides)believe what they want/need2 believe, evidence be damned
Rated 16 Jan 2009
kasperlKasperL
Rated 03 Jan 2009
95
99th
Problematizing the notions of knowledge and truth, Jarecki gives an unforgettable account of a tragedy, cueing you not only to guess at the guilty and the injured parts but to decide what you believe. It's incredible that it was possible for him to tell this story with original footage rather than having to reconstruct the events with actors. If you only see one documentary, make it this one.
Rated 03 Jan 2009
inelukiineluki
Rated 07 Jan 2007
90
97th
Probably one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. The amount of primary-source material combined with the most balanced approach I've ever seen in a documentary film. Watch this one.
Rated 07 Jan 2007
rollergirlRollergirl
Rated 27 Apr 2010
90
78th
E pensar que a idéia original de Jarecki era fazer um documentário sobre palhaços de NY e acabou sendo um relato sobre uma mistura tão complexa quanto pedofilia, mídia, moral, consciêcia e família.
Rated 27 Apr 2010
rossRoss
Rated 04 Apr 2010
90
93rd
I am not a big fan of documentaries, but this is absolutely amazing. The film treats its subject with the objectivity it deserves, and therefore you are constantly changing opinion of what actually went on.
Rated 04 Apr 2010
luckyjordnluckyjordn
Rated 01 Nov 2009
83
93rd
This is a complex and fascinating case and family. There are so many angles covered. Not only do we learn about the case, but there are several clips of the family that give us an intimate look into their lives. By the end, you really don't and can't know the truth. If you approach it with an open-mind and consider all the evidence, you will inevitably flip back and forth about whether or not he/they were guilty. Also, the NY jewish banter makes the film feel like a Woody Allen black comedy.
Rated 01 Nov 2009
gtown1479gtown1479
Rated 23 Nov 2010
79
67th
Wow what a weird topic. That in my mind makees this an eye-catcher as a documentary. The different home videos showing the interactions and breakdowns amongts the family helps tell the story better than any narrator could. What a cast of characters. Getting different view points from police, possible victims, and the Friedman family themselves forces the viewer to make their own decision. It isn't an easy one, but I again think that's what makes it a good film.
Rated 23 Nov 2010
thmertensth_mertens
Rated 30 Jul 2008
77
73rd
Very nice editing and story telling. ... Gives an excellent inside in a complex family drama and shows the difficulties of the truth. ... A very honest and objective documentary.
Rated 30 Jul 2008
twincinematwincinema
Rated 13 May 2015
85
85th
While the "did they or didn't they?" question is interesting (the film attempts to be ambiguous, but the answer is clear), the documentary dazzles as it shows the elusiveness of clear fact and truth, and the narratives people build in this messy thing we call life.
Rated 13 May 2015
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
97th
Full of interesting characters and amazing stories and shocking surprises. And it leaves you thinking a lot about it and the questions it raises. Although ultimately the film is more about family and memory than it is about making a case for either side, one can't help but try to piece together the truth.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
sweekodenSweekoden
Rated 09 Jan 2011
80
79th
Perplexing. I demand my documentaries be in black and white, dammit. So many different takes, so many facades, way too many unreliable narrators. Awesomely done, but sheesh, do I hate not knowing what to think. Only thing I didn't like was how insignificant everyone--with the exception of the mother--made the possession of child pornography out to be.
Rated 09 Jan 2011
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 03 Jun 2016
70
46th
Made me sick to my stomach but it suffers in the editing and cues for emotion
Rated 03 Jun 2016
boobjuiceBoobjuice
Rated 21 Jul 2007
74
71st
Fascinating and very uncomfortable documentary about a family troubled by a disturbing allegation against the father.
Rated 21 Jul 2007
citysqwirlcitysqwirl
Rated 14 Aug 2007
78
62nd
Watching this documentary just underscores how complicated and unresolved real life can be.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
magbMagb
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
50th
Well, I, for one, don't know what the hell to believe. I don't particularly want to do too much tedious digging around for the different sides of the story, and I can't know how objective the documentary is, so it's basically impossible for me to make up my mind about what happened and what didn't. However, no matter what the truth is, it's certainly fascinating to watch.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
funkyastroFunkyAstro
Rated 13 Jun 2014
95
97th
The most amazing thing about this is the directors ability to make the audience go back and forth until finally presenting the objective truth. A prime example of how subjectivity can warp and manipulate what we want to believe. This film could have aptly been called Capturing Denial. Arnold let the family tear itself apart due to his enormous selfishness. His suicide was a happy ending because, at the very least, it illustrated he showed some kind of remorse for raping children.
Rated 13 Jun 2014
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 27 Mar 2012
80
89th
How fascinating. The home video footage really allows you to be a fly on the wall while this family goes through trying times. There is denial on an unbelievable level throughout, and even on the part of the filmmaker himself. I really couldn't have been more fascinated by how everybody reacts to the situation.
Rated 27 Mar 2012
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 22 Jul 2012
83
84th
Pretty disturbing, seeing how strong the brothers and father stay together and denying, even with such strong evidence. What got me most was the fact that they all we're taking it so lightly, and not seriously. Dancing on the parking lot outside the court house, just before going to jail, I just don't understand
Rated 22 Jul 2012
wulfewuLFe
Rated 20 Jun 2012
88
79th
Fascinating documentary where no answers are given, and you never know what the truth actually was.
Rated 20 Jun 2012
rufamRufam
Rated 22 Dec 2011
75
72nd
A powerful and engrossing piece of work that's fascinating not merely because of the disturbing nature of the true story it depicts but also due to its compelling commentary on the elusiveness of truth.
Rated 22 Dec 2011
damildamil
Rated 12 Jan 2012
85
95th
This was a pretty extraordinary documentary that went in more closely and intimately into such a controversial topic than I've ever seen before. It was presented quite impartially, which I liked. I really didn't know what or who to believe. Regardless, it was a fascinating documentary which I highly recommend.
Rated 12 Jan 2012
paxtonPaxton
Rated 04 May 2012
80
76th
Here's one of those documentaries I'm glad I've seen and hope to God I never have to watch again.
Rated 04 May 2012
davidjohnsonDavidJohnson
Rated 11 Feb 2012
81
66th
Very interesting, but a bit long. They could have cut 20 minutes from the middle, it seemed to be a lot of filler. I did like how the documentary didn't seem to take an extremely hostile take on pedophilia like most of the media does. It shows a somewhat unbiased case, where we never really end up knowing for sure who's guilty, or of what. I really felt bad for Jesse. I'm glad he eventually got out and got the $250,000, 13 years was way to harsh. The judge was a fucking cunt.
Rated 11 Feb 2012
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 29 Feb 2012
80
68th
After an intense emotional rollercoaster I still don't know what I believe. It was a hell of a ride though.
Rated 29 Feb 2012
trash_puppetTrash Puppet
Rated 17 Apr 2015
7
49th
"avoids bias" and "subjective"?? Bull fucking shit! The director blatantly supported the innocence of the family. David Friedman is disgusting and incredibly stupid, and the entire family is insane.
Rated 17 Apr 2015
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 27 Apr 2024
70
54th
David Friedman: "I still think that I knew my father very well. I don't think that just because there were things in his life that were private and secret and shameful that that means that the father I knew or the things that I knew about him were in any way not real."
Rated 27 Apr 2024
margustaMargusTa
Rated 10 Jan 2021
86
84th
This documentary was nominated for Oscar and it totally deserved it. Although viewers don't get much of information about incidents in private computer class, its pretty much perfect documentary.
Rated 10 Jan 2021
dasmaymaydasMaymay
Rated 17 Oct 2020
72
70th
More successful as the exploration of a very dysfunctional family than as a crime documentary.
Rated 17 Oct 2020
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 10 Aug 2020
55
62nd
A sad, cautionary, sensationalist story of small town America. Somehow, I wanted more mystery and psychology than what was presented.
Rated 10 Aug 2020
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 22 Jan 2017
72
24th
This documentary sets itself apart with its unbiased, factual approach, and remarkable fly-on-the-wall footage taken inside the house of the family of a convicted paedophile as they discuss their problems. Most TV documentaries could only dream of having access to such authenticity and frankness. Having said that, the subject matter is not the most fulfilling, and the film does drag on a bit too long. I guess great footage is only great if you have enough of it not to resort to tangents.
Rated 22 Jan 2017
arossaross
Rated 21 Nov 2016
83
72nd
messed up doc
Rated 21 Nov 2016
carlosproCarlospro
Rated 27 Feb 2016
85
92nd
que trunfo os vídeos da família
Rated 27 Feb 2016
skrabblesSkrabbles
Rated 18 Sep 2015
70
61st
Didn't dig at the truth as much as I would have liked. I came away feeling a little unfulfilled.
Rated 18 Sep 2015
dumptruk4lifDumptruk4Lif
Rated 24 May 2015
80
44th
Made extra disturbing with the juxtaposition of a stereotypically Jewish family being made up of pedophiles.
Rated 24 May 2015
neonmanNeonman
Rated 19 Aug 2012
82
70th
The best documentary on pornography ever
Rated 19 Aug 2012
isaacrIsaacR
Rated 20 Dec 2014
85
87th
Touches on so many different issues without being overly judgemental within this particular case. I wouldn't recommend watching alone as there will be many talking points over the elusive truth to the Friedman case and the shortfalls of the judicial system.
Rated 20 Dec 2014
chemical404chemical404
Rated 17 Dec 2014
70
83rd
Interesting documentary about one fucked-up family, though it is hardly objective. I see it as an example of how ambiguity and mystery can be created by slowly giving out pieces of information and how easily truth can be lost. However in reality there is very little space for the doubt of their guilt. I bet Jesse is a psychopath.
Rated 17 Dec 2014
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 22 Sep 2014
85
59th
What I love about this documentary is that it somehow answers all of your questions yet still leaves you completely in the dark about exactly what happened. Pretty accurate depiction of life, I guess.
Rated 22 Sep 2014
st_bernaSt. Berna
Rated 23 Jun 2014
60
38th
ilgi cekici, merak uyandirici bir hikaye. ama daha fazlası yok. yönetmen, türe hiçbir farklılık ve lezzet katmayan basit ve bilindik bir üslupla ilerliyor; son derece amatör. ayrıca aile fertlerinin -hatta diğer tanıkların bile- konuşmaları o kadar yapmacık ki (nedendir bilmem, yönetmenin yönlendirmesi mi acaba?), geçmiste ailenin bizzat çektiği onlarca video olmasa ve gerçek hikaye olduğunu bilmesem, mockumentary sanabilirdim.
Rated 23 Jun 2014
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 10 Oct 2010
90
97th
Disturbing look at a family dealing with several shocking occurences. I enjoyed the fact that they focuse more on the impact on the individual members rather than the case itself.
Rated 10 Oct 2010
bojanglesBojangles
Rated 02 Apr 2014
60
61st
Seems to be made by the type of self-styled intellectual who will devil's advocate an argument just because he likes arguing. Strains to highlight how law enforcement (among others?) exaggerated charges in order to make sure they stuck. Whatever. People lie a lot. I already knew that. Doesn't change the fact that these delusional sociopaths almost assuredly raped a bunch of children. I'm not really all that intrigued by the question of 'just how many boys did Arnie stick his dick into?'
Rated 02 Apr 2014
hsncrspywlhsncrspywl
Rated 27 Dec 2013
80
65th
I don't know what to say about this really. I think it's an interesting look at a very odd family in a very unfamiliar and unfathomable situation, and it's great just as that. But if you wanted to you could view it as a crime thriller too - and the interviews are just as odd and haunting as many of the details of the story. There are a few utterly heartbreaking moments too, but much of the film seems too unwilling to take sides - which makes some of the choice editing of interviews seem off.
Rated 27 Dec 2013
gideonGideon
Rated 17 Aug 2013
2
59th
Stupid pedo freaks. It should have been called 'Capturing denial'. 100% guilty and I wasted 2 hours of my life on something very obvious.
Rated 17 Aug 2013
judge_holdenJudge Holden
Rated 13 May 2013
5
69th
Call me narrow-minded, but it's kind of difficult to get with the director's pro-Friedman/anti-hysteria stance (he personally financed Jesse Friedman's appeal) when your subject is a guy who had stacks of child pornography scattered in his house. Not the most impressive true crime documentary but still a pretty fascinating look at a fracturing family.
Rated 13 May 2013
cohillelCohillel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
86th
One of the best documenteries the i've ever seen. Very very depressing, and hard to watch.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 28 Apr 2009
82
92nd
Nice Documentary
Rated 28 Apr 2009
20words20Words
Rated 25 Oct 2008
90
57th
"Naked leapfrog? Not I," says pedophile Arthur. Friedman family is dysfunctional as all get-out; Lady Justice, even moreso. Naked...leapfrog.
Rated 25 Oct 2008
djrossdjross
Rated 10 Oct 2008
76
87th
Very good documentary that is perhaps guilty of inventing ambiguity where very little really exists (as THE STAIRCASE also does, but in a diametrically opposed fashion). Despite protestations from some to the contrary, the truth about the situation is quite clear. Interview with the filmmaker ten years later: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/06/nyregion/filmmaker-still-fights-outcome-of-80s-child-sexual-abuse-case.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0.
Rated 10 Oct 2008
ubermenschubermensch
Rated 12 May 2008
85
48th
mocku-documentary, invading a bizarre family portrait.
Rated 12 May 2008
acefreemokacefreemok
Rated 15 Oct 2007
80
86th
A film that you will think and discuss for hours afterwards
Rated 15 Oct 2007
emgrayemgray
Rated 18 Aug 2007
75
73rd
A brilliant documentary, though very difficult to watch.
Rated 18 Aug 2007
kamrankamran
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
80th
Chilling documentary that leaves you right back where you started with no idea how to piece together what has been presented.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
easymac742easymac742
Rated 14 Aug 2007
94
97th
Staggering.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
unclesausageunclesausage
Rated 31 May 2009
0
0th
Hulk Hogan and the Iron Sheik, sitting in a tree, W-R-E-S-T-L-I-N-G
Rated 31 May 2009
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
49th
Interesting,Shines no light on the truth tho.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
nancysidnancysid
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
41st
pervs
Rated 14 Aug 2007
cclzaCCLZA
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
77th
Remarkable documentary about an astonishing story that avoids bias for a particular side and balances perfectly an objective point of view.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
duaneneitzelDuaneNeitzel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
25
8th
Too much whinning. Besides, he looks guilty to me. According to IMDB: Directed by Andrew Jarecki
Rated 14 Aug 2007
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 05 Aug 2007
80
64th
05 aðustos 07
Rated 05 Aug 2007
shmendrekShmendrek
Rated 09 Jul 2007
4
83rd
Depressing and weird. Raises more questions than it answers.
Rated 09 Jul 2007
stainStain
Rated 26 Mar 2007
100
95th
One documentary you'll never forget
Rated 26 Mar 2007
senseisensei
Rated 06 May 2011
90
93rd
I wish the director sought clarity as to what happened instead of merely planting doubt on all sides by giving equal time to sources of unequal reliability. He is fuzzy when dealing with details of the crimes and clearly biased in his presentation of the victims. A longer runtime would've allowed more details and analysis, but might have made for a less entertaining film. That said, it is an exceptional look at family dynamics during a period of crisis.
Rated 06 May 2011
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 11 Jun 2009
70
75th
Pretty disturbing but at the same time rather endearing in its humanity and readiness to spare us the outrage. It isn't perfectly balanced but comes close enough, and it deliberately fluctuates as it slowly unravels, toying with your expectations and hurried conclusions. Most notably it is calm and collected and makes its viewers face the fact that a pedophile, whether innocent or guilty of criminal acts, can be just a person with a family that depends on him and not a stereotypical monster.
Rated 11 Jun 2009
oldgoatoldgoat
Rated 26 Jul 2009
64
35th
Fucked up, and makes you feel a lot, but its convoluted in it's tale.
Rated 26 Jul 2009
freqflyerfreqflyer
Rated 01 Aug 2009
82
68th
Very powerful doc.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
jazzalohaJazzaloha
Rated 24 Nov 2009
70
68th
Well made and one of the more disturbing films I've seen.
Rated 24 Nov 2009
forehead1forehead1
Rated 26 Dec 2009
70
88th
Almost a decade on from my first viewing, the second failed to shed any more light on the subject or change my original opinion. It's clearly a very dysfunctional family and virtually everyone involved (including the police and judge) appear to be lying through their teeth about something. The infuriating ambiguity of it all is never resolved but perhaps that's just down to the case itself - it was vague at the time and concrete conclusions will always remain elusive.
Rated 26 Dec 2009
halfjapaneseHalfJapanese
Rated 14 Jan 2010
70
40th
A well-made documentary that will leave you repulsed, but with a mere inkling of doubt as to the guiltiness of one or both of its main subjects.
Rated 14 Jan 2010
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 22 Feb 2010
80
57th
Disturbing as all hell. However, it's a little on the lengthy side, which makes the back and forth become somewhat repetative.
Rated 22 Feb 2010
dmcrimsonDMCrimson
Rated 14 Mar 2010
84
88th
Everyone's already praised this documentary, but just wanted to highlight the amazing editing and structure: how the story switches between guilt and sympathy to throw your judgement in different directions, all while progressing forward in the event timeline naturally. It's an amazing, complex, and subtle juggling act that few movies pull off.
Rated 14 Mar 2010
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 25 Apr 2010
85
90th
Very good, very disturbing.
Rated 25 Apr 2010
mohanmohan
Rated 30 Oct 2010
98
88th
Perfect documentary - although very disturbing in its content and the questions it raises. If there is a grammar for documentary makers in maintaining neutrality of view point this should make a perfect example. Leaves you with more questions that it answers - chief among them being the more meta-level philosophical - Can there ever be a single truth (black & white) about anything at all - or to exist in this imperfect world, has truth to be polarized by time, interested groups & point of views?
Rated 30 Oct 2010
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 30 Nov 2010
25
61st
"An oddly riveting chronicle of one family's devastating demise and, less successfully, an attempt to shed light on the validity of pedophile witch-hunts." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 30 Nov 2010
jacoiiiJacoIII
Rated 14 Dec 2010
45
85th
Great doc. Really pulls you into this one family's life and secrets. I love how it damns Mr. Friedman in the beginning and then slowly plants seeds of doubt for the remainder of the running time.
Rated 14 Dec 2010
seanberndorffSeanBerndorff
Rated 18 Jan 2011
80
74th
Scary. And shockingly it's not the child molesting that is most scary, but more the police's methods, people's lies and manipulations. Especially in the case of the son Jesse. Perhaps the most frustrating movie I've ever seen, but because you simply can't figure out heads or tails.
Rated 18 Jan 2011
fichincefi_chince
Rated 23 Mar 2011
75
68th
Interesting commentary on false memories. The documentary does lean towards the Friedmans' innocence, but in the end, it's not really about the actual case as much as it is about the family's internal reaction to it. It's unique how much footage there is of moments which would normally be private in most families, so it feels very voyeuristic.
Rated 23 Mar 2011
hezarfenHezarfen
Rated 18 Apr 2011
70
68th
great subject and great to look at. Another 'the worthlessness of a corrupt legal system' films
Rated 18 Apr 2011

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