I watched this documentary a couple of years ago as it was on UK TV, on first viewing I was horrified at the stuff that transpired about this family, in my mind Arnold and son were guilty, end of. But as a big fan of documentaries that deal with the human psyche, I re- watched it a couple of days ago, I probably paid more attention to it this time and by the end of the documentary I felt SO frustrated because I had NO idea who was telling the truth and who wasn't, my opinion changed completely, I did consider the possibility that maybe public hysteria had sent two innocent men to prison, although I absolutely despise paedophiles and abusers, I wasn't certain after my second viewing if these men had indeed committed those heinous crimes. I went to bed that night and was unable to sleep, I was THAT engrossed in the story and THAT curious, I wanted to make my mind up, reach my own verdict, so I did a bit more research the next day and some more reading on the matter and I finally reached my own conclusion. My personal view is now that the film maker was definitely biased, the comments he makes in the documentary and the interviews he presents were carefully selected, he tries to show Jesse as an innocent person trapped in this scandal, paying for his father's ('minor') sins and omits loads of details about the evidence used to incarcerate him AND Arnold. But after reading on the case I think he is as guilty as sin, his personality as described by the psychologist who analysed him trying to work on his defence fits perfectly with the way a person who was abused as a child by a parent and with a distorted view of the world, of what's right or wrong, would be like, once grown up. Obviously, he is a victim too, because his actions as a young man were only the result of his twisted upbringing. For those of you interested in the full picture, Jesse's case was recently reviewed (June 2013) and you can read the full transcript with all the details of this case, evidence and statements provided here: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/DA/NewsReleases /2013/documents/Conviction-Integrity-Review-People-v- Jesse-Friedman-FINAL.pdf
All in all, I found this documentary thrilling, the only people I felt for were Arnold's wife, Elaine who had to endure the bullying behaviour from her husband and sons most of her life and Arnold's brother, Howard, who seemed sincere and well meaning and who was a victim too. David, the older brother was extremely irritating in his blind loyalty towards his father and brother, I kept shaking my head at how intense and stubborn he was in denying anything inappropriate at all ever happened, even when Arnold himself had already confessed, putting full blame on to his long suffering mother. I guess you can understand his upset, but I wonder if anyone at all, after watching this documentary, would really hire him as a clown for their children's parties. Who would want him around their kids?! Even if HE himself didn't commit a crime, with his family history who would want to take the risk? Why did he choose that specific profession? It is unfortunate that he would choose to work around little kids. Another thing that I was left wondering was... Why did Arnold apparently only abuse the youngest son? Did he ever try it with Seth or David? If so, could they have blocked it out of their minds too like Howard did? This documentary definitely makes you think and for that I give it 7 stars, I would have given it more if the maker had not been SO biased in favour of Jesse, and Arnold to some extent. A must see!
All in all, I found this documentary thrilling, the only people I felt for were Arnold's wife, Elaine who had to endure the bullying behaviour from her husband and sons most of her life and Arnold's brother, Howard, who seemed sincere and well meaning and who was a victim too. David, the older brother was extremely irritating in his blind loyalty towards his father and brother, I kept shaking my head at how intense and stubborn he was in denying anything inappropriate at all ever happened, even when Arnold himself had already confessed, putting full blame on to his long suffering mother. I guess you can understand his upset, but I wonder if anyone at all, after watching this documentary, would really hire him as a clown for their children's parties. Who would want him around their kids?! Even if HE himself didn't commit a crime, with his family history who would want to take the risk? Why did he choose that specific profession? It is unfortunate that he would choose to work around little kids. Another thing that I was left wondering was... Why did Arnold apparently only abuse the youngest son? Did he ever try it with Seth or David? If so, could they have blocked it out of their minds too like Howard did? This documentary definitely makes you think and for that I give it 7 stars, I would have given it more if the maker had not been SO biased in favour of Jesse, and Arnold to some extent. A must see!