Caputring the Friedmans

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Carli</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="280" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> Arnold Friedman</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Elaine Friedman</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> David Friedman</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="124"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="124" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>30-second bottom line:</B> "Capturing the Friedmans" is a bleak and unsettling documentary about a family that is falling apart. The father, Arnold and one of the sons are charged with multiple counts of pedophilia. The film captures the family's futile attempts to stay together and retain their dignity. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Story Line:</B> Andrew Jarecki's "Capturing the Friedmans" is a disturbing but not particularly enlightening documentary about the investigation of a celebrated teacher and his son.  The case was either one of the most horrific modern instances of serial child molestation or a terrible case of mass hysteria.</div> <bR> <div> Police go into the Friedman house, and find Arnold's secret stash of child porn magazines. Testimonies come out that Arnold and one of his sons violated many of his students.</div> <bR> <div> Of course, the other family member's vehemently deny the charges. But as evidence piles up against Arnold, the family begins to unravel.  At first the members can't digest the seriousness of the whole thing and they think it will all blow over. When the mom begins to doubt her husband's innocence, the sons attack her. Viewing the whole ordeal is emotionally devastating, but we never end up really understanding what went on, so what's the point? </div> <bR> <div> <B>Tell me more about it:</B> This technically competent documentary offers a combination of footage of the family interspersed with testimonies from family members, the judge, and law enforcement officials. Their testimonies don't always jibe, and it's clear that many people are lying. </div> <bR> <div> This film probably would've been a more standard documentary if not for the shocking footage of the family interacting during the crisis, which was filmed by one of the sons.</div> <bR> <div> The film does not offer much insight into the psychology of child molesters or what causes pedophilia. It's more like a lurid reality TV show than an educational film. </div> <bR> <div> The thing that bothered me the most about "Capturing the Friedmans" is that so little attention is given to the alleged victims.  Ultimately, the supposedly objective film only generates sympathy for the perpetrators and their family.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="621" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="617"><div> Vittorio J. Carli © 2003</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="617"><div> <A HREF="mailto:info@reelmoviecritic.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@reelmoviecritic.com"><U><U>vi</U></U></A><A HREF="mailto:info@reelmoviecritic.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@reelmoviecritic.com"><U><U>to@reelmoviecritic.com</U></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>