Documentary filmmakers Barbara Brancaccio and Joshua Zeman examines the urban legend of Cropsey growing up on Staten Island. The legend seems to center on the Willowbrook State School. It's a dumping ground for the mentally disturbed. In 1972 Geraldo Rivera made a report on the disturbing conditions. It took another 10 years before the hospital started to shut down. The closed hospital and the surrounding Greenbelt forest in the middle of Staten Island became the source of many stories. In 1987, 12 year old Jennifer Schweiger with Down Syndrome disappeared. Homeless Andre Rand is arrested after Jennifer's body is found in the woods. There was no physical evidence connecting them but he was convicted of kidnapping. Then other missing persons cases are reinvestigated and he is charged with the kidnapping of missing Holly Ann.
I actually think the story of Andre Rand is good enough to headline this movie. The legend of Cropsey is only an easy way into the story although discovering the kids exploring the old hospital is an interesting find. There is a creepy unresolved feeling for this movie. The fact that no decisive resolution to the question of Andre Rand only adds to that feeling of unease. There are no easy final answer here.
I actually think the story of Andre Rand is good enough to headline this movie. The legend of Cropsey is only an easy way into the story although discovering the kids exploring the old hospital is an interesting find. There is a creepy unresolved feeling for this movie. The fact that no decisive resolution to the question of Andre Rand only adds to that feeling of unease. There are no easy final answer here.