Roman Polanski: Wanted And Desired (2008) is one of the rare documentaries that can be both highly volatile while still being unquestionably fair. The film is not a listing of Polanski's wrong doings, or a call for his trial. Instead, it presents relevant interviews and interesting archival footage giving the viewer all they need to make their own opinions.
Roman Polanski: A Story They Will Never Get Tired Of
While most viewers of the film will undoubtedly have some knowledge of Polanski's life, the film lays down a short and comprehensive biography. His documented hardships, such as the loss of his mother at an early age and the murder of his wife Sharron Tate set the background for the film without overpowering the central story.
A great amount of time is also given to Polanski's issues with the press due to these hardships. There is careful documentation of the press crews hounding him and his lawyers for answers and some looks at why he was treated differently by the European press than the American Corps.
Neither of these two aspects overpower the central part of the film, which is the alleged rape and criminal flight case that has become synonymous with his name. Carefully detailed with court and police documents, and some excellent current interviews with the lawyers the case its self becomes almost more engaging than the man in the title.
Looking Back at Polanski's Life
There are no current interviews with Polanski himself, but there are some interesting exchanges with other key players. Viewers get accounts from press that covered the event as it was happening and recollections from both the defense and the prosecution as they try to make sense of the whole event in retrospect. The interviews with the lawyers in particular lend incredible insight to the case and give added credibility to the film.
The film is exceptionally focused given the many directions and angles that could have been taken. This, coupled with some excellent editing and title cards, make the film flow in a very personal and detailed way. The movie almost runs as if the director, Marinia Zenovich, is sitting with the viewer commenting as the evidence floats by.
A Case That is Still Open and is Definitely Still Open to Interpretation
While the film makes no personal accusations, it does make for a great counter point to most of the American coverage calling him a coward and a rapist. Wanted and Desired attempts to get into Polanski's head and find out what may have driven him to that point in his life.
Ultimately it is an engrossing film and a very good introduction to one of the most publicized cases of all time. Where others may have spent time covering the minutia of the case, Zenovich's film goes for broad strokes and personal remembrances. It is both a fantastic film and an interesting documentary.
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