There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane (2011)

In July 2009, as horrified drivers swerve to avoid her, 36-year-old Diane Schuler drove for 1.7 miles the wrong way in the fast lane of traffic of the Teconic State Parkway in the Hudson ... See full synopsis »

Director:

Liz Garbus

Stars:

Jesse Temple, Brad Katinas, Diane Schuler

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jesse Temple	...	Himself (archive sound) (as Sgt. Temple)
Brad Katinas	...	Himself (archive sound)
Diane Schuler	...	Herself (archive footage)
Jay Schuler	...	Herself
Michael Realmuto	...	Himself (as Capt. Michael Realmuto)
Joe LaGrippo	...	Himself (as Chief Joe LaGrippo)
Rob Malcolm	...	Himself - Reporter
Daniel Schuler	...	Himself
Jimmy Schuler	...	Himself
Warren Hance	...	Himself (archive footage)
Betsy Spratt	...	Herself - Toxicologist
Dominic Barbara	...	Himself
Evan Schuler	...	Himself
Ann Scott	...	Herself - Hunter Lake Campground
James Boyle	...	Himself - Investigator

Storyline

In July 2009, as horrified drivers swerve to avoid her, 36-year-old Diane Schuler drove for 1.7 miles the wrong way in the fast lane of traffic of the Teconic State Parkway in the Hudson Valley of New York resulting in eight deaths... See full synopsis »

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Plot Keywords:

denial | driving under the influence | dui | fatal car crash | head on collision | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 July 2011 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Moxie Firecracker Films

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of The Oprah Winfrey Show: Episode dated 27 October 2009 (2009)

User Reviews

Most horrifying movie I've ever seen

Be warned! This movie stuck with me for nearly a week. After it ended I was kind of in shock for the rest of the day. Many may have experienced a similar feeling after seeing Schindler's List, but even that movie contained more hope than this.

This is one of the highest quality documentaries I've seen. Very well done. The suspense builds throughout as husband and sister-in-law battle to prove that Diane was not under the influence; that an autopsy stating the contrary had to be a mistake. The film never states this one way or the other, but by the end you will know. It doesn't even come close to preaching on this subject, but makes the point in an extremely powerful, yet subtle way.

We first hear about the victims, and the accident, see and hear bits of the funerals. Then we hear the coroner's statement, and think, 'Oh, no, this couldn't be true.', and identify with the denial of Diane's family.

Towards the end, we see that Daniel, the widower, seems cold and immature. He does not seem very warm to his young son, the only survivor. I could imagine feeling something like 'My God, you are all I have left, I'm lucky to have you, I love you.' But he says, 'I never even wanted to have kids, and now I'm stuck with this, I'm a single parent.' Okay... There's a heartbreaking scene where the two are walking and Bryan tries to hold his Dad's hand, Dad responds a little and Bryan ultimately gives up. I'm glad Bryan was finally able to at least get therapy.

To me the true hero of the story is Jay, the sister-in-law. You can see that she really cares for all of her family involved, and especially for Bryan. She is probably the best person in his life.

Driving is an awesome responsibility, and anytime we drive our own or someone else's child, it is even more so. Many of us spend our days shuffling kids here and there, this really makes you pause and think. And...the idea of having anything in your system, even with the excuse of trying to dull the pain of a severe toothache, there is just no way that anyone should even consider getting behind the wheel in that state, let alone consuming more as one is driving.

Part of Diane's problem seemed to be that no one could ever tell her what to do or not do. So, she refused to get her teeth cared for as she should have, and when she then had severe pain, treated it her own way, a choice that led to the deaths of eight people, including four young children, causing horrible grief for all the families involved.