.jeri.

Another documentary I remember hearing a buzz about when it came out is Capturing the Friedmans, which chronicles what happens to a family when two of its members are arrested and charged with sex crimes. I think the thing that intrigues the movie's fans is the fact that, either by presence of mind, or as some sort of coping/distancing mechanism, one of the members of this family videotaped and documented the family's life.

This movie is definitely an example of how families tend to hide their problems and let them fester, and then when crises arise, those problems surface in the worst possible way. The Friedmans were a family who were by no means perfect, but seemed to ignore a lot of their emotional problems. Once the father and one of the sons are arrested, it seems like that's when people start asking questions and finding out about the father's upbringing, about the father and mother's complicated relationship, and about the sons' interesting relationship with both of their parents.

Almost like something out of Camera Buff, the way the camera keeps rolling in the middle of this crisis is interesting but somewhat terrible because it doesn't flinch from the action. There are screaming conversations inside the household that reveal the family at its worst. I felt like I shouldn't have been watching, and wondered at how the family was okay with all of this footage being used in a documentary. I'm sure their lives were difficult enough with the attention that was brought on them during the trial, but this footage, while sort of explaining their situation, doesn't necessarily make them sympathetic.

Perhaps that is their hope, though - to appear even slightly sympathetic, as opposed to complete villains. It seems like the family members all want the world to know why the father and son who went to jail. They admit that there were a lot of issues going on with the father, but seem to argue that both were innocent regarding the specific charges, and the reason both went to jail was to receive the benefits of pleading guilty.

But the underlying feeling is that of a tragedy. When we learn more about the father, his upbringing, and the family dynamics, it's just incredibly sad. Watching them self-destruct and take sides is worse, and seeing the lasting effects of these events on their lives is even worse than that. It's not an easy or pleasant experience to watch this movie, and I'm still in doubt as to whether or not the intrigue made it worthwhile.