Jafar Iqbal A controversial documentary about the Friedman family, a seemingly typical, upper-class Jewish family living in Long Island, New York. Their very normal and somewhat happy world was turned upside down when the father and his youngest son were arrested and charged with some very shocking and disturbing crimes.'Capturing The Friedmans' is a film of which 95% was watched with a very bemused expression on my face. It's one of those stories you'd happily accept as a work of bold and slightly twisted fiction; the fact that it's all reality is awful. It won't be a spoiler to reveal that the crimes in question were all related to the sexual abuse of children, and the description of those supposed crimes is horrific.Supposed though, because what the film does so well is point out that the actual truth still really isn't known. It's hard to doubt the evidence against Arnold Friedman, the patriarch and alleged main abuser, but it's the involvement of son Jesse that raises the most doubts. Only seventeen himself when the allegations were made, it is difficult to believe that he could be involved. However, it is very plainly shown that he was one of three sons that had a deep affection for their father, but could it really extend as far as agreeing to assist in his sordid acts? That is one of the conundrums of the movie.What really fascinates me about the documentary is the portrayal of Elaine Friedman, the victimised wife and mother. Not victimised just by the outside world, but by her own family. Unlike the rest of the family, she doesn't blindly trust her husband, which leads to some heated arguments and an eventual alienation from everyone. Her testimony is possibly the most impactful, being the woman who has known Arnold the longest and could cite moments which gave credence to his guilt.Director Andrew Jarecki is fantastic at making sure he stays as neutral as he possibly can, given the circumstances. It would have been very easy to turn it into a biased look at an evil family; but Jarecki makes sure to not go down that route. Through the use of home video footage and interviews, we are made to look at the story from every perspective. The ending of the movie is a very emotional and, somehow, happy one, giving a level of sympathy we probably didn't want.'Capturing The Friedmans' is a very good documentary, but it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea. However, get past the fact that this is people who potentially committed heinous crimes against innocent children, and what you get is a story about family and loyalty. Excellent.

jcarolfi What fascinates me most about the film is the way the way the filmmaker deftly appears to weave together officials, experts, family members and home movies and video to attempt to give a sense of truth of happened when the Father, Arnold Friedman, was arrested on various sex with minors charges. On first viewing it seemed so full of ballyhoo - what officials were saying was so different that what the family was saying (even the mother, Elaine) - That it seemed little more than a highly concocted docudrama. In fact, I dare any docudrama maker to create a story this engaging. Upon a more careful viewing it became apparent that the truth was likely not embodied in any one person's statement or perspective (Arnold died in prison before work on the film began). Perhaps the truth in some cases cannot be known and perhaps it is a mental construct of sorts. The film "captures" oh so well the dysfunction that existed within it and a power of denial strong enough to actually change reality.A landmark film.

erniecalderon I'm still not entirely sure whom to believe. This is a testament as to how good this documentary is on denial, family, lies, love, and horror. I would certainly recommend it to whomever wishes to feel real badly about human nature and the evil ways that it manifests itself. Belief in WHATEVER is so powerful and it never ceases to amaze me how we are able to convince ourselves of ANYTHING. I say this only because this family is in absolute denial and they have genuinely convinced themselves that there father is innocent of all charges. With so much damning evidence, it is hard to believe that anyone, with any sense, would not prematurely convict this man of the horrors he committed.

conwu1 Not sure if it is worse watching this movie or watching Nancy Grace on CNN. I am not sure if I have stomach for any more contents like this. I have no interest in giving my attention to a family that craves for attention in such a degree they videotape each other on a regular basis. Its like, "hey, look at me. I am on the camera." Why the family even want to air it's dirty laundry. Just disturbing. The filmmaker tries to create suspension by presenting contradicting of memories on incidences. I wonder how many interviews the filmmakers have to do before they can get the two interviews that are actually contradicting each other. What is the point in making this movie?