Dear Zachery

 

Story:

Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne's poignant tribute to his murdered childhood friend, Andrew Bagby, tells the story of a child custody battle between the baby's grieving grandparents and Shirley Turner, Bagby's pregnant ex-girlfriend and suspected killer. Initially, Kuenne made this documentary as a memorial for Andrew's loved ones, but it morphs into an emotional legal odyssey when Turner goes free on bail and is allowed to raise her son (NetFlix).

Review:

This documentary is very difficult to put into words.  It is too sad to say I loved it, but it’s one of the most remarkable films I’ve ever watched.  It’s the story of a lovable med student, his psychotic killer, a young boy that won’t get to know his father, and a legal system that sends two parents into a frenzy.    

The main character at the center of this tragedy is an aspiring doctor named Andrew Bigby.  To say he was loved is a total understatement.  The quantity of friends this guy had, and the amount of lives he’s touched is nothing short of amazing.  By chance, one of Andrew Bigby’s best friends is a filmmaker named Kurt Kuenne who has been making movies his whole life since childhood, all of which star Andrew.  This coincidence provides more footage of a person growing up than anyone not being followed around by the paparazzi.  You really get to know this person, watch him grow older, and begin to love him yourself.    

The film is gripping right from the start, exploring the mysterious death of Andrew Bigby.  What happens next turns a simple home movie into something much bigger, and much more important.  I’m not doubting director Kurt Kuenne’s talent, but I’m not sure if he was prepared for the road this documentary was on to suddenly merge onto the autobahn.  I certainly wasn’t.    

Overall this film was excellent.  It really gets your emotions going, I laughed a little, but mostly I was choked up.  Don’t let that scare you away though, or you’ll miss one of the most incredible stories ever caught on film as it unfolds.  I definitely recommend it to anyone of a mature age, just be sure to keep the tissues handy.  This documentary is Kurt Kuenne’s ultimate passion project and was made with pure and absolute love.

Reviewed by John Cassaras for Documentary Film Online on December 29, 2009

In Conclusion: