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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

EMAILPRINTOscilloscope Pictures

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father reviews
82
8.1 User Score:

Movie Info

Genre(s): Documentary

Written by: Kurt Kuenne

Directed by: Kurt Kuenne

Release Date:
Theatrical: October 31, 2008
DVD: February 24, 2009

Running Time: 95 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: Not Rated

Starring Kurt Kuenne, Zachary Andrew, David Bagby, Dr. Andrew Bagby, and Kathleen Bagby

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a uniquely intense and personal documentary about the murder of Kurt’s oldest friend and the unbelievable legal and emotional madness that ensued. (Oscilloscope Pictures)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Premiere Jenni Miller

Masterfully put together.

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90

Film Threat Scott Mendelson

The film's overall result is a document of towering, devastating emotional impact.

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90

New York Magazine David Edelstein

Among the most enraging (documentaries) I've ever seen, and while it's fine and heartfelt and I commend it to those of you with strong constitutions, it is the film that has finally broken me.

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90

Los Angeles Times Robert Abele

An undeniably shattering story, if forgivably shaky in its impassioned, therapeutic unfolding.

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83

Portland Oregonian Stan Hall

You can't help getting emotionally involved, and as the central outrage -- a case of judicial negligence that would seem unbelievable in a work of fiction -- plays out, you feel the pain and anger that Bagby's family and friends experienced. Then the story takes a final, horrible twist that's almost too much to endure.

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80

Village Voice Martin Tsai

Kuenne lovingly assembles home-movie footage and new interviews, while deftly borrowing a narrative trick from fiction--the plot twist--to create a true-crime story so gripping, devastating, and ultimately unforgettable that it easily trumps any thriller Hollywood has to offer this year.

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80

The Hollywood Reporter Sheri Linden

Without becoming a screed for victims' rights, the riveting film shows how in the face of terrible events a grieving parent is galvanized into activism.

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80

The New York Times Stephen Holden

It is impossible not to be fired up by Kurt Kuenne's incendiary cri de coeur, Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father.

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75

New York Post Lou Lumenick

A gut-wrenching experience.

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67

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

The facts are so awful that Dear Zacharycan be forgiven much of its antsiness--as a memorial, as a condolence to Bagby’s parents (who became activists for judicial reform in their late son's honor), and as a howl of grief.

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50

Variety Peter Debruge

The way Kuenne presents the material, with an aggressive style that lingers less than a second on most shots, it's impossible not to feel emotionally exhausted.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 18 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Leo P gave it a10:
It's like riding an emotional roller coaster with a bomb strapped to your chest.Then the bomb explodes.

Emily S gave it a10:
I am a docu buff and have lately been on a roll, watching all of Metacritic's highest rated documentaries (its taking a while!) This film is truly exceptional. In my opinion, though the editing style is unusual, I believe it fits the film perfectly--an emotional style for a movie that cries from the heart. Its one of the better-made documentaries that I've seen. Julie P is absolutely right in that after I saw this film, I cried on and off all night...I felt as though I couldn't have any fun because it was all so horrible. This is completely unusual for me--I'm not generally a crier, and I usually like sad emotional movies. If you dislike all films with sad endings, skip this one. However, everyone else should see it. It will stay with you, for better or for worse.

Dylan L gave it a2:
The story here needed to be told: it is tragic and saddening. The storytelling is simply the worst I have experienced in years. Why this guy thought he had to create this pathetic atmosphere with the editing and music and the questions he asked is beyond comprehension. At moments where the story is genuinely shocking and you need some time to reflect on the enormity of what has happened this director is making a collage of soppy pictures in embarrassing sequence with terrible fake music and at one point trying to make his crap editing evoke rage when everyone needs a moment to take in something quite incredibly shocking. A very important story, ruined. Read the book by the Mr Bagsby instead.

Julie P gave it a10:
I have never seen anything like this documentary. When it was over, I felt as though I'd been beaten with a heavy stick, and my body ached for fully two days. After a week of intermittent weeping, I've come to realize that this film has put me into a genuine state of mourning. I can't recommend it highly enough, but only to mature teens and adults who are willing and able to be plunged into a period of grief.

Randy P gave it a10:
The less you know going in to this documentary, the more the impact. I was completely unaware of this story and was stunned at the turns it took. A very good watch!

Lyle S. gave it a10:
Amazing!. The story is compelling, the characters interesting and developed, the editing and story telling unique. I'm surprised about any doubt to this movies majesty - the intensity of the editing matches the rage of the story. A must see!

Jay H gave it a9:
It is impossible not to be moved by this documentary. It's very well edited and the footage used is outstanding. Thorough and detailed. An incredible story that you will not soon forget.

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