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Cynnik
Reviews
Meet the Patels (2014)
Disappointing on a Structural Level
I watched this documentary with no expectations, just an interest in learning about a cultural experience. The outcome of the documentary was apparent from the start. I expected the journey that lead us there, however, to be far more interesting. The documentary lacked basic fundamentals. The main intent of the film is obscure.
As far as the character development goes- there is little. The parents are absolutely wonderful and the saving grace of this documentary. Mr.Patel is amazingly charming. I would love to have known more about Geeta. Her story is the one I found more compelling and it was only briefly touched. (Major spoiler coming) The relationship between Ravi and Audrey never seemed genuine. After being together two years he kept saying he didn't know if he loved her. At no point in the film was their affection for each other shown, but it was obvious through the script that they would end up together. The failed attempt at a "surprising twist" was awkward. I was left feeling sorry for Audrey.
Soaked in Bleach (2015)
Inadequate
Tom Grant has long said he has hundreds of hours of documentation that proves that Courtney had a hand in Kurt's murder. I was ready to have my mind blown. Not a single thing in this documentary affirmed his position. Courtney's behavior in the film is consistent with a drug addict, and he himself said she was high in all of those recordings. Listening to the audio, it really sounds like she believed he was alive.
Tom Grant has made a name for himself based on these extreme assumptions and hunches. So many of these have been explained and debunked, especially the level of heroin in the bloodstream, but Grant refuses to acknowledge them. They say there is a lack of similar cases in law enforcement records, but do not acknowledge the medical studies.
I was very disappointed in this film, but it laid my doubts of Courtney's statements to rest. IF anything, IF Kurt REALLY had help, the most logical thing that comes to me is that his friend may have assisted him in his suicide. That's a stretch though, and is solely based on this documentary. Nothing else has ever pointed me to think this.
One thing that really irked me about the film, though, is that they have people "close" to Kurt that say he didn't seem depressed and they didn't think he was suicidal. Exactly. That is typical for a clinically depressed person. Adult suicides are usually shocking for that very reason.