Reckless Indifference (2000) Reviews

• The truth sometimes is hard

  aerocouplenj2005-07-25

  The truth does hurt and it is ashame that these boys where in fact railroaded. Everybody involved(in the film) was given the opportunity to speak and show(there side) and I feel the director did his share with offering the sides of the 4 people involved in the persecution of these boys. Let's see. One child stabbed the victim and yet all 4 get life sentences. Charles Manson did A lot more and did not get life without a chance of parole. It was truly unjust and I hope that they get a better and fairer trail in their appeal. I do feel for the family of the victim, but to portray him as an innocent by stander (I mean his good friend did sell drugs) while his family tore apart the parents of the other children. His father was a detective and his son was involved in drugs. The one child who stabbed (and admitted it) the victim should do time and there is no hesitation in that. However the other's did not deserve such harsh sentences. Just my opinion. I found this movie very invigorating and eye opening.

• An Eye Opening Documentary

  mmillerct2005-07-12

  A fairly effective presentation of the issues surrounding the death of a young man in an affluent suburb of Los Angeles. Some of the stock filler was a bit repetitive and the "reenactments" of actual events were a bit contrived looking, but this faded in the presentation of the issues themselves. Certainly the hypocrisy of the justice system in California was made quite evident. I found that in the end, there were no real good guys or bad guys here (with the notable exception of a couple of defense lawyers and a private investigator who seemed surprisingly honorable). The movie certainly paints a negative image of the victim's father, but based on the facts presented, it seems well deserved. The saddest aspect of this mess is that in the post O.J., Michael Jackson, and Menendez era of California jurisprudence a number of well-meaning people forgot the difference between vengeance and justice. You might find it worthwhile to follow up this movie with a bit of internet research on this case and it's individuals. By the way, the score was quite excellent.

• documentary is biased

  Lovetvshows2005-04-18

  I just recently saw the movie reckless indifference. I know that most documentaries do not provide equal time to both sides of the issue but this documentary in particular was biased in favor of the four young men who committed the crime. The parents of the accused were upset that the victim's father, an LAPD detective, was using his influence to get the best trial for his dead son. What the parents of the accused do not realize or admit is that if they were in the same situation as the the victim's father they would be doing the same thing. Everyone wants justice for their family. It is understandable why Michael McCloren did not want to be interviewed for this movie. He probably knew that what he said would be misrepresented. The film shows more people being interviewed in defense of the accused. There are only four people shown discussing the victims. The deceased boy's parents and the district attorneys. This documentary would have been much better if it were more balanced.

• And justice for all

  jotix1002005-07-24

  "Reckless Indiference" is a documentary about the killing of a young man of a stab wound. James Farris Jr., who was dealing drugs, was also the son of a retired detective of the L.A.P.D. The director William Gazecki tries to present the case from all angles, but in a way, it takes the view that the condemned were given the wrong sentence. It appears that life sentences for the young people involved is a high price to pay, taking into consideration that other offenders get off with less strict sentences. However, the technicality applied to these young men has to do with what applies to the violent gangs operating in Los Angeles. The case is made that the prosecution went too far in the case by all the defense. This tragedy, unfortunately, touched all the people of the Agoura Hills community because nobody could have foreseen something like this could ever happen there. This is a true American tragedy.

• Documentary or Music Video?

  howdymax2005-07-09

  Back in the days of the Nickelodeon and on into the silent era, it made sense to provide music in the background during the showing of a video production. You had to do something with the dead time. Even after the advent of the talkies, it was perfectly appropriate to provide mood music to set the tone of a scene. This is a perfect example of Hollywood overkill. I can't tell if it is a well done documentary about a senseless killing, or a music video with background visual effects. I tried so hard to follow the story line, and was constantly distracted by the moody musical theme that ran throughout the entire production. Somebody tried to get awfully artsy - and bombed. I love music, but there are times I just have to give up a movie because of music overload. This was a prime example. Even worse was the fact that the volume dropped during dialogue and narration, while it amplified between scenes. I gave this effort a 5. It should have been an 8, but making me play with my volume button for an hour and forty minutes requires a penalty. I don't know who was responsible for it, but he should be fired - or go to work for Bruce Springsteen. Whichever is worse.