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Capturing The Friedmans
2004
Watching Andrew Jarecki's riveting non-fiction drama is like watching a slow-motion replay of a multi-car pileup; you know it's headed for disaster, but there's no way you can stop watching. On the surface, the Friedmans were a typical 1980s American family. Living in Great Neck, Long Island, Arnold was a well-respected teacher,.. Read more
| Starring | Arnold Friedman, Elaine Friedman, David Friedman, Seth Friedman |
|---|---|
| Director | Andrew Jarecki |
| Run time | 108 mins |
| Genres | Documentary |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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In this compelling documentary, director Andrew Jarecki refuses to adjudicate on whether the story of a retired Long Island teacher's arrest for paedophilia is a suburban scandal or a hysterical conspiracy. Accused of assaulting boys attending lessons in the family basement, Arnold Friedman's fall from grace represented a domestic tragedy for his unforgiving wife, Elaine, and his largely supportive sons, David, Seth and Jesse (who was also jailed on child abuse charges). Comprising the Friedmans' own revealing home movies, interviews and news footage, Jarecki's film raises disturbing questions about the law's attitude to those accused of sex crimes.
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On Thanksgiving weekend 1987, police in Great Neck, Long Island, pursuing a US Post Office sting, broke down the... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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39 out of 41 people found this review helpful
Thought - provoking and compelling
The subject matter, being as it is about a family torn apart by paedophilia, should make this film hard to watch. However, watching the case unfold against the Friedmans makes this a very compelling and thought-provoking documentary. In particular, the relationships between the family members have to be seen to be believed.
If you enjoyed the documentary style of Bowling for Columbine, then you'll definitely appreciate this, possibly even more so if you prefer your documentaries without a narrator.
'Capturing the Friedmans' will have you talking about it long after you've ejected the disc from your player. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
A remarkable film about a difficult subject
I'd never have thought that child abuse could be the topic for such an engrossing, fascinating and moving documentary. Capturing the Friedmans provides a window into the life of a family torn apart by accusations of some of the most unimaginable crimes known to humanity. Through original home movie and video footage and interviews with most of the participants the viewer is slowly introduced to the complexities of the case.
Throughout the focus remains on the family at the centre of it all, and the footage of a family at breaking point is truly moving. The filmmakers refrain from setting an overt agenda preferring instead to let contributors reveal themselves and illuminate the case through their own words or actions. A truly remarkable film that provides an insight into child abuse, family life, memory, and relations, and yet doesn't pretend to have all of the answers. -
News and features
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Docs Rock
- 04 Mar 2009
Inspired by the release of “American Teen”, we’ve compiled own playlist of must-see twenty first century documentaries. It’s been quite a decade for non-fiction filmmakers. Once synonymous with earnest and boring, the genre has undergone a radical facelift and enjoyed the kind of box-office success that would have been beyond the wildest dreams of the old guard of fly-on-the-wall practitioners. If Michael Apted had been charting the life cycle of the documentary film... Read more
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