While I am sure there are a few folks out there that would never be convinced, this installment of "30 for 30" should easily convince any reasonable viewer that the infamous Duke lacrosse team rape case was a farce. It does a very, very thorough job in presenting the story from start to finish and it's a darn shame that the reporters working on the case initially didn't show the same dedication to getting the story right. In hindsight, it's clearly a case where minds were made up long before all the facts were obtained...and if folks had just waited they would have seen that the rapes could not have occurred.
What I appreciate about the film, in addition to its thoroughness, is how the story is presented. Through the first third of the show, the viewer is left scratching their head and thinking "I thought the guys DIDN'T commit the rape...maybe they really did"! In other words, it didn't jump to any conclusions but just showed what happened and let it all play out at it did in reality.
Is there anything I didn't like? Well, a few of the individuals involved refused to be interviewed. The three exonerated lacrosse players refused--most likely to get this story behind them. The prosecutor refused--most likely because he is an evil man. And, the prison system would not allow the accuser to be interviewed because she's in prison for murder. I would have loved to have heard from these folks. Apart from this, the film was very well constructed and convincing...and makes for very compelling viewing. And, sadly, it's a case that tends to make folks assume that all too many real rape victims are 'just making it all up'.
What I appreciate about the film, in addition to its thoroughness, is how the story is presented. Through the first third of the show, the viewer is left scratching their head and thinking "I thought the guys DIDN'T commit the rape...maybe they really did"! In other words, it didn't jump to any conclusions but just showed what happened and let it all play out at it did in reality.
Is there anything I didn't like? Well, a few of the individuals involved refused to be interviewed. The three exonerated lacrosse players refused--most likely to get this story behind them. The prosecutor refused--most likely because he is an evil man. And, the prison system would not allow the accuser to be interviewed because she's in prison for murder. I would have loved to have heard from these folks. Apart from this, the film was very well constructed and convincing...and makes for very compelling viewing. And, sadly, it's a case that tends to make folks assume that all too many real rape victims are 'just making it all up'.