This documentary is so well-made that it intrigues from start to finish. The plot centers around Nathan Carman, an autistic man who is charged with the deaths of his grandfather and mother. Neither of these took place simultaneously, but in a span of short duration. Nathan’s mother, Linda, belonged to a wealthy family that included her and her three sisters. Her father (Nathan’s grandfather) was a very controlling man, even though he did give money to his daughter monthly. He was very much invested in the life of his grandchild, Nathan. Nathan was approximately 4 or 5 when he was first diagnosed with autism. He had no friends and was a lonely child. One fine day, there is a loud noise that is heard by neighbors at wee hours of the night. Turns out his grandfather was shot dead in his room with blood all around. All family members were taken as suspects, but slowly the main focus shifted to Nathan. Clippings from the interrogation give us some hints as to why prosecutors took him as a suspect. Soon after this, Nathan and his mother head for fishing, and they are lost at sea. For seven days, search efforts take place, and for eight days, it is stopped. It is on the eighth day that Nathan is found. His mother? No trace. Nathan’s answers as to why his mother cannot be found aren’t very convincing either. Even though she was a forceful swimmer. At first, people hailed him for surviving the sea for eight days. Then it begins to sound fishy. Past clippings show us that Nathan had a troubled relationship with his mother since his mother wished for him to be institutionalized. But that wasn’t the sole reason. There could be matters of money that he wished to inherit from the passing of his mother.
The documentary is divided into two types of people: some who remind us constantly that he is not liable for the deaths, as he is autistic, and others who have dealt even more closely with him, who could be the ones behind the murders. His father, for example, falls in the first category. He keeps on telling us that Nathan cannot do it. Call it a father’s love or the fact that he probably knew him out. In the second category fall Linda’s sister and the detectives who worked with him during the investigation. Somewhere, they are convinced that the murders were done by him because of the way he spoke and his doubtful alibi.
Overall, this documentary is pretty good. The makers went into great depth about the Carman and the Chakalos family. At first, instead of driving straight into Linda’s life after having Nathan, we are shown her father, John Chakalos’s life. We are told how he became a wealthy man and how he dealt with his family. Then we are told about Linda’s life. All these we are shown through clippings and interviews given by Linda’s sisters and her husband. They walk us through their lives. What is best is that, in between all this, the focus never shifts from Nathan. In the background, he is always present in the lives of both John and Linda.
What makes the documentary even more intriguing is the interview given by those involved in the investigation. With clippings from the interrogation and media, the entire run time is so meaningful. The execution has been done with great detail, more like step by step. This ensures that there is no confusion caused when we are watching it. So all in all, this is one of the best ones to watch. It is quick-paced and definitely worth your time.
Final Score- [9/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times