Seen: June 28th, 2007
Format: DVD
Rating: 6
The Thin Blue Line is an interesting piece of work from a historical perspective. While it may seem a bit dated, its format is one with which we're inundated, at least from an American television perspective.
This film may be the genesis of the modern crime docudrama. It follows and investigates the arrest, conviction and sentencing of Randall Adams. Adams declares his innocence throughout. The film documents the crime and subsequent proceeding via interviews, photographs, recordings and sketches.
It also goes one further by dramatizing the actual events, using actors to stand in for the those actually involved in the incident. This reenactment, which is a staple of every "real crime" show currently in production, seems to be what disallowed the film entry into the documentary category of the Academy Awards.
These re-enactments are highly dramatized and stylized to draw and focus attention on certain aspects of the crime. This is critical, because the film's second driver is to call into question the proceedings themselves. Much time is spent focusing our attention on the details of the investigation which shed the most doubt on the outcome of the case.
The case itself is actually moderately interesting. There are some amazing characters here. That they're actual people is gravy. The fact that some of these folks were actually considered credible witnesses is a disappointing at best. The crime itself is simple, but the lack of hard evidence daunting.
All this adds up to rampant speculation and assumptions. This is fertile ground, and the film exploits it well.
It should be noted that this film ultimately impacted those involved in the crime.
The Good: Shining light in dark places
The Bad: Being in the wrong place at the wrong time
The Ugly: Lack of conscience
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