Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 39
  3. Negative: 3 out of 39

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  1. DylanL
    Jul 25, 2009
    2
    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.… Expand
  2. Dan
    Nov 2, 2008
    3
    This is a terrible movie about an amazing true life story. Bad editing, heavy handed story telling and sappy. I'm actually embarrassed for all the parties, except for one.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Peter Debruge
    50
    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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  2. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Martin Tsai
    80
    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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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    67
    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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