Friday, July 1, 2016

The Witness Movie Review

Kitty Genovese

Sightlines

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: On March 13, 1964, Kitty Genovese was repeatedly attacked on a street in Kew Gardens, Queens. Soon after, The New York Times published a front-page story asserting that 38 witnesses watched her being murdered from their apartment windows - and did nothing to help. The death of Kitty Genovese, 28, quickly became a symbol of urban apathy. The Witness follows the efforts of her brother Bill Genovese as he looks to uncover the truth buried beneath the story. In the process, he makes startling discoveries about the crime that transformed his life, condemned a city, and defined an era. Directed by James D. Solomon.


Genovese was "the girl nobody cared about... the symbol of bystander apathy." Her brother Bill proves otherwise in Solomon's absorbing documentary of Kitty's senseless murder, and one man's half-century quest for answers. It's a sad tale (both then and now) but showcases an intense love and loyalty, I found very admirable. Bill admits, "It's worse not knowing the truth," but it's hard to imagine anything more atrocious... save an introduction to the man monster responsible. The first half is terrific, superb investigation aided by clever animation. The second... a blood-boiling story, that's sure to spark further discussion. First-rate, but mournful.

GradeB+