I saw Dan Reed’s problematic “Leaving Neverland” a week, or so, ago and it disturbed me in more ways than one. First off, the graphically detailed description by James Safechuck and Mark Robson of how Jackson sexually abused them as kids makes for some uncomfortable viewing. But also, if you know the background of these two guys, Robson has, by all accounts, lied under oath about Jackson in a court of law, among other sketchy things, you start to also become disturbed by Reed’s one-sided argument.
“I believed he was a good guy, made good music, seemed nice to children, and I think most people were in that grey area,” director Dan Reed told Vice recently. He added, “Sadly, it turns out he was a sexual predator, and I think a lot of people are going to rethink their view of him.”
I mean, how could you say that and not look biased? This is the director of the movie. A non-fiction filmmaker can do as he pleases with his work, but you would think we’d get the other side of the argument in the doc, we don’t. Which usually proves to be a purposeful decision consdiering the other side has a good case against Reed’s film.
My full review can be found here.
“Leaving Neverland” will debut on HBO March 3rd.
His reasoning is simple: Cregger sees himself first and foremost as a writer, and he has little interest in shaping stories around the predetermined “data points” that come with established IP.