Proper Reality-TV

I'm amazed that watching 10 idiots, desparate to become famous, sitting in some artificial house is called Reality TV. This story, with its contentious subject matter and intimate portrait of a family is about as REAL and raw as it gets.

What's more amazing is that you get to see the story as an observer in the family's front room as well as further background footage spread over many decades.

Very pleased at the impartial approach of the director. It would have been easy to label the police as idiots or the family as totally crazy or most of all Mr Friedman as a predatory monster (This is probably what the guy who turned it off just after the beginning wants to hear - I'm sorry but turning it off doesn't solve the problem of paedaphilia and make it go away and if you haven't watched the film, don't post a review) but you will see that its not the case or, at least, not completely. There are no black and white characters in this story.

Despite what some people have said, this is NOT a Michael Moore style film. (He does an important job but he also has his own agenda and I can't see him tackling this subject objectively) You never see or hear the director in this film.

Its great that as the story progresses that you side with the police, then they contradict themselves, and then you're on the family's side, and back and forth. Its interesting how unreliable people's memories are. After all these years people on both sides are certain about some 'facts' which we the audience can see are not the truth, although I'm convinced that those concerned don't think they're lying.

Finally you're left with your own ideas of who's innocent and guilty, questioning the actions of the police and the decisions of the family.

Its refreshing that you're not given the answers in the end - How many times in films (fact or fiction) is the moral rammed down your throat when you could have formed your own opinions?

This is not light viewing but if you want something real and you want to do some detective work of your own, give it a go.