I just recently saw the movie reckless indifference. I know that most documentaries do not provide equal time to both sides of the issue but this documentary in particular was biased in favor of the four young men who committed the crime. The parents of the accused were upset that the victim's father, an LAPD detective, was using his influence to get the best trial for his dead son. What the parents of the accused do not realize or admit is that if they were in the same situation as the the victim's father they would be doing the same thing. Everyone wants justice for their family. It is understandable why Michael McCloren did not want to be interviewed for this movie. He probably knew that what he said would be misrepresented. The film shows more people being interviewed in defense of the accused. There are only four people shown discussing the victims. The deceased boy's parents and the district attorneys. This documentary would have been much better if it were more balanced.
15 Reviews
An Eye Opening Documentary
mmillerct12 July 2005
A fairly effective presentation of the issues surrounding the death of a young man in an affluent suburb of Los Angeles. Some of the stock filler was a bit repetitive and the "reenactments" of actual events were a bit contrived looking, but this faded in the presentation of the issues themselves. Certainly the hypocrisy of the justice system in California was made quite evident. I found that in the end, there were no real good guys or bad guys here (with the notable exception of a couple of defense lawyers and a private investigator who seemed surprisingly honorable). The movie certainly paints a negative image of the victim's father, but based on the facts presented, it seems well deserved. The saddest aspect of this mess is that in the post O.J., Michael Jackson, and Menendez era of California jurisprudence a number of well-meaning people forgot the difference between vengeance and justice. You might find it worthwhile to follow up this movie with a bit of internet research on this case and it's individuals. By the way, the score was quite excellent.
And justice for all
jotix10024 July 2005
"Reckless Indiference" is a documentary about the killing of a young man of a stab wound. James Farris Jr., who was dealing drugs, was also the son of a retired detective of the L.A.P.D. The director William Gazecki tries to present the case from all angles, but in a way, it takes the view that the condemned were given the wrong sentence.
It appears that life sentences for the young people involved is a high price to pay, taking into consideration that other offenders get off with less strict sentences. However, the technicality applied to these young men has to do with what applies to the violent gangs operating in Los Angeles.
The case is made that the prosecution went too far in the case by all the defense. This tragedy, unfortunately, touched all the people of the Agoura Hills community because nobody could have foreseen something like this could ever happen there.
This is a true American tragedy.
It appears that life sentences for the young people involved is a high price to pay, taking into consideration that other offenders get off with less strict sentences. However, the technicality applied to these young men has to do with what applies to the violent gangs operating in Los Angeles.
The case is made that the prosecution went too far in the case by all the defense. This tragedy, unfortunately, touched all the people of the Agoura Hills community because nobody could have foreseen something like this could ever happen there.
This is a true American tragedy.
Grade: B
tideprince14 December 2004
This is a visually generic documentary - it could almost pass for a high school film project in that regard. But the subject matter is quite compelling, especially for a resident of the Los Angeles area.
It's the story of a murder investigation that took place in the Agoura Hills section of Los Angeles County, about fifty miles north of the city proper, a relatively upscale and crime-free neighborhood. Jimmy Farris and Mike McLoren were selling marijuana out of what even the teenagers called a "fort" in their backyard when they were accosted by the Holland brothers (Jason and Micah), Tony Miliotti, and Brandon Hein. What happened next is disputed. What just about everyone can agree on is that Jason Holland stabbed both McLoren and Farris with a pocketknife. McLoren was wounded and Farris died on the scene.
All four of the participants in the brawl were sentenced to life in prison, even though by the lone prosecution eyewitness McLoren's admittance, Miliotti and Hein mostly stood around watching. They, however, were prosecuted under a new law that made gang members responsible for one another's behavior. So one of the two central questions of the movie is based on that assumption: was this a gang killing?
The second question is whether these boys got a fair trial. The deceased's father, you see, was an LAPD officer, and the families of the accused felt that their sons got unduly railroaded because of it. In addition, the district attorney's office had just lost the OJ case, had failed to nail Michael Jackson, had just seen Erik Menendez nearly walk away because of a mistrial. They had something to prove. And justice may (or may not) have been thrown out the window in the process.
It's a provocative film that, at the very least, documents a police force, DA's office, and community in crisis. It underachieves technically, but don't let the crudeness fool you; the ideas here are solid. Definitely worth a look.
It's the story of a murder investigation that took place in the Agoura Hills section of Los Angeles County, about fifty miles north of the city proper, a relatively upscale and crime-free neighborhood. Jimmy Farris and Mike McLoren were selling marijuana out of what even the teenagers called a "fort" in their backyard when they were accosted by the Holland brothers (Jason and Micah), Tony Miliotti, and Brandon Hein. What happened next is disputed. What just about everyone can agree on is that Jason Holland stabbed both McLoren and Farris with a pocketknife. McLoren was wounded and Farris died on the scene.
All four of the participants in the brawl were sentenced to life in prison, even though by the lone prosecution eyewitness McLoren's admittance, Miliotti and Hein mostly stood around watching. They, however, were prosecuted under a new law that made gang members responsible for one another's behavior. So one of the two central questions of the movie is based on that assumption: was this a gang killing?
The second question is whether these boys got a fair trial. The deceased's father, you see, was an LAPD officer, and the families of the accused felt that their sons got unduly railroaded because of it. In addition, the district attorney's office had just lost the OJ case, had failed to nail Michael Jackson, had just seen Erik Menendez nearly walk away because of a mistrial. They had something to prove. And justice may (or may not) have been thrown out the window in the process.
It's a provocative film that, at the very least, documents a police force, DA's office, and community in crisis. It underachieves technically, but don't let the crudeness fool you; the ideas here are solid. Definitely worth a look.
This may be an unpopular review but here goes:
zip9141316 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed watching this movie, but not from the standpoint "Oh those poor defendants were railroaded - the injustice!!" I was watching with fascination over the fact that, if the defendant Brandon was not a gorgeous white kid, this movie wouldn't exist. If Brandon was a dark black skinned kid, and had participated in robbing a lady, then physically threatening the lady when she demanded her wallet back (with the help of his four friends), and immediately afterwords ganged up on two kids, tried to steal their stash, four against two, and even with those overwhelming odds, produced a knife and stabbed both of the two kids and fled the scene, NONE of these talking heads (except maybe the parents) would be preaching as if they were the voice of all good people everywhere in the world. These wretched (but gorgeous) kids robbed a mother with her two babies and threatened her and then killed a kid and almost killed another. The parents in this documentary, blaming the dead kid's father, blaming the judge, blaming the jury, blaming the world, were FASCINATING. And dangerous because they will never take responsibility nor demand responsibility and this creates monsters.
The truth sometimes is hard
aerocouplenj25 July 2005
The truth does hurt and it is ashame that these boys where in fact railroaded. Everybody involved(in the film) was given the opportunity to speak and show(there side) and I feel the director did his share with offering the sides of the 4 people involved in the persecution of these boys. Let's see. One child stabbed the victim and yet all 4 get life sentences. Charles Manson did A lot more and did not get life without a chance of parole. It was truly unjust and I hope that they get a better and fairer trail in their appeal. I do feel for the family of the victim, but to portray him as an innocent by stander (I mean his good friend did sell drugs) while his family tore apart the parents of the other children. His father was a detective and his son was involved in drugs. The one child who stabbed (and admitted it) the victim should do time and there is no hesitation in that. However the other's did not deserve such harsh sentences. Just my opinion. I found this movie very invigorating and eye opening.
Superb
JohnSeal29 August 2004
Reckless Indifference is a technically crude but matchless documentary about the inequities of the American criminal justice system. Similar in many respects to Joe Berlinger's outstanding Paradise Lost films, it takes a look at the death of James Farris Jr., the son of a retired LAPD officer and the 'bodyguard' of suburban teen drug dealer Mike McLoren. The circumstances behind his death are clouded, but the end result is that four young men are now serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. The film presents a strong case that the LA County Attorney's Office, smarting from failures in the O.J. Simpson and Menendez cases, railroaded at least three of the teenagers who will now spend the rest of their lives behind bars. The old saying about the truth setting one free has yet to prove true for either the West Memphis Three or for Brandon Hein, Tony Miliotti, and Jason Holland. This film, though produced in 2000, now includes a 2004 epilogue with further evidence of extra-legal fixing by the prosecution.
Interesting
Blitz8525 February 2005
I found this to be an interesting look into the justice system. The case had some tough issues surrounding it, and I think the conflict between the two polarizing views concerning the defendants really lends itself to some great movie drama. Also, I found it to be quite informative in terms of learning things about the courts and various laws and legalities.
The one thing that really stood out though was the outstanding musical score. Usually we tend to overlook a movie's score, especially a documentary, but I thought the original music for this film really helped to make it that much more intense.
Great project all around.
The one thing that really stood out though was the outstanding musical score. Usually we tend to overlook a movie's score, especially a documentary, but I thought the original music for this film really helped to make it that much more intense.
Great project all around.
What if it was your kid(s)???
kdelano3 January 2005
If you can't see the crime for what an injustice it was, you haven't had much life experience, don't have kids are a conservative who can't see past his/her nose. I have been with friends many times when situations occur and the only person you can be accountable for is yourself. All those boys went to the fort for one reason: marijuana. Was it to purchase it or to steal it? whatever the reason, they would never have been there to begin with if McLoren was not selling it! Kids fight, they do. Over girls/boys, talking behind each other's back, etc. No one knows nowadays what will happen with just a regular fistfight. A kids who was sitting in a truck and had no idea what had just transpired was sentenced to NINE YEARS! If you have not seen this movie, watch it. Bottom line is 5 kids got into a physical fight, one ended up dead due to the recklessness of one of those kids. Two other kids were NOT involved in the melee. However, 3 kids who were fighting got life with no parole, even though the actual offender admitted his guilt, 1 kid who watched from the door while the fight occurred also got life in prison with no parole, and 1 kid who had nothing to do with it period got 9 years. All because of an old law that California kept on the books and the prosecutors took advantage of that states a murder that occurs during a robbery is automatic felony murder and all those involved get charged the same. I am not dismissing the fact that a parent lost their child, that child lost his life. But as the son of an LAPD officer, why was this kid with a known drug dealer? Why should 4 kids have their life ruined over the decision of someone else? The injustice being brought down on our youth is appalling! Just to make examples of kids. This movie really makes you look at the justice system. Another good movie similar to Reckless Indifference is Juvies.
Documentary or Music Video?
howdymax9 July 2005
Back in the days of the Nickelodeon and on into the silent era, it made sense to provide music in the background during the showing of a video production. You had to do something with the dead time. Even after the advent of the talkies, it was perfectly appropriate to provide mood music to set the tone of a scene.
This is a perfect example of Hollywood overkill. I can't tell if it is a well done documentary about a senseless killing, or a music video with background visual effects. I tried so hard to follow the story line, and was constantly distracted by the moody musical theme that ran throughout the entire production. Somebody tried to get awfully artsy - and bombed.
I love music, but there are times I just have to give up a movie because of music overload. This was a prime example. Even worse was the fact that the volume dropped during dialogue and narration, while it amplified between scenes.
I gave this effort a 5. It should have been an 8, but making me play with my volume button for an hour and forty minutes requires a penalty. I don't know who was responsible for it, but he should be fired - or go to work for Bruce Springsteen. Whichever is worse.
This is a perfect example of Hollywood overkill. I can't tell if it is a well done documentary about a senseless killing, or a music video with background visual effects. I tried so hard to follow the story line, and was constantly distracted by the moody musical theme that ran throughout the entire production. Somebody tried to get awfully artsy - and bombed.
I love music, but there are times I just have to give up a movie because of music overload. This was a prime example. Even worse was the fact that the volume dropped during dialogue and narration, while it amplified between scenes.
I gave this effort a 5. It should have been an 8, but making me play with my volume button for an hour and forty minutes requires a penalty. I don't know who was responsible for it, but he should be fired - or go to work for Bruce Springsteen. Whichever is worse.
Don't Cry tears for theses killers
bball1dad4 December 2004
I did not feel sorry for these defendants when I watched this film. I felt very bad for the parents who lost their son. All the hand wringing over the aggressive prosecution ignores the fact that no court has ever sanctioned the prosecutors for misconduct. These young adults clearly got what they had coming to them. The biggest joke is seeing Dershowitz. He acts as if he's the moral conscience of the nation even though he worked hard to get O.J. acquitted. The conviction for felony murder turned on whether it was a robbery. What I would like to know if the defendants had any money when they arrived at the dealer's fort to buy the pot as they allege. If they had no money that certainly shows evidence of a robbery. If it was a robbery, they are all guilty of felony murder and should rot in jail.
Balanced documentary
Swingboy8 October 2005
This documentary sheds the light on the trial of two adults and two juveniles who were tried and convicted for the murder of the sixteen year old son of a retired Los Angeles Police Department detective in Agoura Hills, California. The two adults were barely adult, being only a few months on the other side of eighteen years of age. The victim was the bodyguard of the neighborhood drug dealer, who was stabbed during a melee in a darkened homemade "fort" in the backyard where the drug dealer (who declined to be interviewed for the film) over drugs. The documentary reveals the aggressive tactics pursued by the two district attorneys who prosecuted the case, showing ultimately how they, bowing to public pressure over the incompetence of the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office following the OJ Simpson verdict, the mishandling of the initial molestation charges in 1994 against Michael Jackson, and the mistrial of the first murder trial of Erik Menendez, were so overzealous as to defy court rulings about evidence, engage in secret and clandestine meetings with the judge behind the defense attorneys' backs, and to possibly have suborned the perjurious testimony of the drug dealer as the sole evidence to establish a criminal intent to commit robbery that led to the four defendants' conviction for first degree murder under California's "felony murder" rule. This conviction led to life sentences for three of the defendants, and a twenty-five year to life sentence a fifteen year old defendant in the case. The victims' parents are given ample screen time, as are the prosecutors, to explain their actions and to respond to the allegations (except for the allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, which are set forth in a June 2004 "Epilogue" as the basis for the appeal of one of the defendants). The victims' parents' grief is apparent, but ultimately, so is the blindness of their denial and of their meritless self-righteousness, as in an example where the former LAPD detective denies having been present during witness inteviews only to be contradicted by one of the prosecutors himself! This is a very good portrayal of how the justice system can be perverted to suit the needs of a prosecutor's office to finally get a win, and to suit the dictates of an influential parent. I encourage those who have not seen it to view it with an open mind. Clearly, these young defendants deserved some form of punishment, but the facts and circumstances of the crime and the evidence against them, as shown in this documentary, show that the justice meted out in this case was grossly disproportionate.
Justice was not served for these boys!!
korndolly29 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
First, I'd like to that I do feel very sorry for the victims family, and I do believe that the boys who participated in the fighting and the ONE boy who stabbed needed to be punished. The ones who fought should have got assault and the boy who had the knife, should have gotten assault with a deadly weapon and murder. However the boys who did not participate in any crime, who didn't even know why they were there in the first place, (yet alone what was going on due to the fact that they were drinking) should have never even been tried for murder at all. I understand that they were under age drinking, but does that mean that they are murderers. There are many people who have or do drink under age and do stupid things, or are around when their friends do stupid things. That doesn't make them murders, criminals, or dangers. They may not have made the best choices in friends or what not but to say someone, a teenager at that, making a stupid choice to drink and tag alone with friends not knowing what is going on, and ending up in a bad situation is to be held responsible for someone else's actions is ignorant. The parents of the victim down the other boys, and say they need to be watched and in jail, but did they ever stop to think that if they had maybe been watching their son and what he was doing things might have been different. I'm not saying it's their fault at all, but as a member of the LAPD the father didn't even know or if he did over looked that his soon was smoking and/or selling pot. That doesn't speak to strongly to me as someone who is watching their kids very well either. Don't get me wrong I don't think the boys who fought or stabbed anyone are better or anything, they did wrong but you can't over look all the things that went wrong on the other side. The wrong that sent the other boys, who committed no murders, and had no idea what was going to happen, to jail for the rest of their lifers.
This is when the law is used unjustly
dmaire1221-222-4451514 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This is a sad reality of misuse of the law and the injustice of someone that is connected . Such as a police officer . Life without parole for fight that broke out and only one of the kids used a pocket knife and killed the police officers son. Four of the 5 kids get life without parole. With a law that is suppose to be used for someone that robs a bank or gang killing . This was 5 drunk kids buying drugs and a fight breaks out . The knife was not taken out to rob them but used in a brawl that someone lost their cool . This was not premeditated or planned .
For one it was a pocket knife. Not gun nor a weapon that would be attended to kill someone . Two only one person that admits he stabbed the police officers son and the others were not to blame . Three their was NO proof their was intent to rob the drug dealing son of the police officer .
Would these children got life without parole if it wasn't a police officers son NO.
The rest of the kids where on the outside of the drug dealers hut and didn't even know what was going on .
People should be mad and horrified over this .
For one it was a pocket knife. Not gun nor a weapon that would be attended to kill someone . Two only one person that admits he stabbed the police officers son and the others were not to blame . Three their was NO proof their was intent to rob the drug dealing son of the police officer .
Would these children got life without parole if it wasn't a police officers son NO.
The rest of the kids where on the outside of the drug dealers hut and didn't even know what was going on .
People should be mad and horrified over this .
such bs
S-Millas5 February 2015
This is the most ridiculous bullshit I've ever seen. I was there that day, testified against these idiots, and actually remember how they were.
As it actually went, after they were trying to kill/rob Mike/Jimmy for $40 worth of dirt weed, and started to lose the fight, Jason stabbed Mike three times, then turned and stabbed Jimmy in the heart. AGAIN, for $40 worth of dirt weed.
Once that happened, Brandon was the one who yelled "Get the bat" to finish the job.
I testified against these pieces of ....I was there that day. I remember when Micah tried to stab me, after his older brother jumped me over a $55 bottle of "Obsession".
You all are insane sticking up for them. They tried to kill me over $55 before this incident happened.
As I recall, that piece of trash Brandon, also grabbed one of our cats by the neck and threw it as far as he could into our pool.
I'm not a kid anymore. Jimmy was my close friend since kindergarten.
Jason was jumped into some shitty gang called "Gumby's" that day, and wanted to show how bad he was. After his trashy mother, and father that was disgusted by him, couldn't stand the site of the kid anymore.
You idiots have no idea how ridiculous you are supporting these "thugs".
Micah attacked anyone he could with a taser/knife to rob them. His brother used his bug to commit statutory rape.
And Tony got knocked out like the punk he was by the deceased.
The parents are to blame.
The Director of this farce...I'll introduce you to Jimmy's older brother, Travis. I'm sure you'll have a lot to discuss.
As it actually went, after they were trying to kill/rob Mike/Jimmy for $40 worth of dirt weed, and started to lose the fight, Jason stabbed Mike three times, then turned and stabbed Jimmy in the heart. AGAIN, for $40 worth of dirt weed.
Once that happened, Brandon was the one who yelled "Get the bat" to finish the job.
I testified against these pieces of ....I was there that day. I remember when Micah tried to stab me, after his older brother jumped me over a $55 bottle of "Obsession".
You all are insane sticking up for them. They tried to kill me over $55 before this incident happened.
As I recall, that piece of trash Brandon, also grabbed one of our cats by the neck and threw it as far as he could into our pool.
I'm not a kid anymore. Jimmy was my close friend since kindergarten.
Jason was jumped into some shitty gang called "Gumby's" that day, and wanted to show how bad he was. After his trashy mother, and father that was disgusted by him, couldn't stand the site of the kid anymore.
You idiots have no idea how ridiculous you are supporting these "thugs".
Micah attacked anyone he could with a taser/knife to rob them. His brother used his bug to commit statutory rape.
And Tony got knocked out like the punk he was by the deceased.
The parents are to blame.
The Director of this farce...I'll introduce you to Jimmy's older brother, Travis. I'm sure you'll have a lot to discuss.
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