A doctor, Andrew Bagby is found murdered in a park in Pennsylvania. His lifelong friend plans a documentary about his life featuring interviews with his family and friends along with clips from the short films Andrew starred in when they were growing up.

There’s much more I could post about this feature, but I don’t want to spoil the film’s impact for those who haven’t seen it. I’ll just say that the film examines what happens when pure evil crosses paths with thoroughly decent people. Chaos ensues as Dear Zachary painfully shows.

Director Kurt Kuenne has made one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen and one of the most devastating. Notice his editing too. It’s extraordinary.

Dear Zachary is never unduly maudlin or sentimental, namely because along comes another plot twist that will astound, anger and demolish the audience.

It’s one hell of a film. But prepare yourself before watching it. But watch it all the same; it’s a fantastic achievement.

5 out of 5 stars