The latest film Rob selected this documentary and reading the basic plot I walked in thinking while it would be sad it would be a tribute film, but boy was I wrong and tissues were required.
Director: Kurt Kuenne
Writer: Kurt Kuenne (Screenplay)
Starring: Kurt Kuenne, Andrew Bagby, David Bagby, Kathleen Bagby, Shirley Turner
Plot: A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend’s ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Heart-breaking Story
Story: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father starts with the home videos and interviews with friends, family and colleagues of the late Andrew Bagby. We do know that he has been killed and that this film is a tribute to his son to watch one day. We learn what type of man Andrew was and who the main suspect in his murder was, we watch how his parents David and Kathleen what the lady Shirley charged for his murder but she flees.
This all comes off as a story you would watch to see how twisted humans can be and our director Kurt Kuenne sets out on making a tribute video for the first twist in the story a Shirley announces she is pregnant with Andrew’s son Zachary. We watch how the events from David & Kathleen have to fight custody against Shirley but the final twist in this real story will leave you devastated.
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a film I want to look at in two different ways, first I am start by looking at how this was designed to be a message to the son whose father is murdered, it really is amazing to see how many people were touched by this one man and even if we didn’t see the rest of the events this would be a great story and memory. In the second half of my views is that this film shows just how the world is filled with people like Shirley and her action along with the criminal law need to change to stop the final tragedy in this story happens. Mixing the tribute film with the events brings added emotions to what happened and if you never knew the story you will end up shocked.
Director Review: Kurt Kuenne – Kurt gives us one of the best documentaries in recent years and the personal touch helps play on all the emotions.
Crime: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father shows the crime that has been committed and the consequences.
Documentary: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father starts as a tribute like film and fast turns into the touching heart breaking story of what really happened.
Suggestion: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a film that should be watched by all at least once. (Watch)
Best Part: Impact
Worst Part: The reality.
Believability: It is based on the tragic real story.
Chances of Tears: Yes
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes
Overall: Truly a heart breaking movie that will leave you in tears
Rating