It has often been said that there is a fine line between genius and madness. While there are many geniuses who live stable lives the ones that gain the most notoriety in the media are those that broken away from the conventional social norms. Some have even crossed the line into alleged criminal activates. In the past there was the highly public trial of Michael Jackson on charges of sexual abuse of a child or the controversial marriage of Woody Allen to a young woman who was his adopted daughter. Perhaps the most famous, or perhaps infamous, charges levied against a certifiable cinematic genius involved the internationally acclaimed director, Roman Polanski. He will always be known for an amazing body of work that has included some of the best films made. However, this is not what many think of when they hear his name. In 1977 Polanski, then 44, was accused of having sex with a 13 year old girl; the resulting legal issues resulting in Polanski fleeing from the United States. Much has been written about this man but there is a definitive at the life of this talented yet troubled man; ‘Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired’ by film maker Marina Zenovich. While much of the emphasis of the film is on the legal troubles Polanski’s life was fair from perfect prior to that. He found himself in the middle of one of the most heinous serial murder investigations in history, the Charlie Manson killings. This is a fairly well balanced look at the media feeding frenzy that has surrounded this man for decades. The film maker obviously admires Polanski as would most directors but he does make ever effort to depict the facts; both those that are common knowledge and some that may have not received as much press coverage. In any case this movie is intriguing and engaging. It will gain and hold your attention. The film had a limited theatrical released after making the independent rounds. In this case the festival circuit included some of the most prestigious ones around; the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals. The DVD release is made through Think Films, the division of Image Entertainment that typically uncovers gems like this that may not have had a chance for as broad an audience as it deserves.

Handling the writing chores here is a team of three people; Joe Bini, Peter G. Morgan and Marina Zenovich. All three are fairly new to providing screenplays but they do a remarkable job here. You might not thing about needing a writer for a documentary such as this but this function is vital to the success of the project. With all the news footage and talking head interviews shown there is a need for a central narrative to bind all the information together in a cohesive presentation. This is where the documentary writer comes in. It is up to them to provide the narration that gives the direction to the film. The screenplay here has to tread a very fine line. The writers have to give the audience the information they want to know without going over to pandering to the more puerile interests that some have. Although the creative people hear have a respect for the undeniable talents of Mr. Polanski they maintain enough of an objective eye in the presentation of this film.

The film opens with some voices heard over the titles. Polanski is being interviewed and the first question strikes right to the heart of the matter. The interviewer asks about one of Polanski’s greatest works, ‘Chinatown’. That film was about justice not prevailing. The interviewer asks if Polanski’s experiences have brought him to the same conclusions in his life. He responds that he was making a film about injustice in Los Angles at that time. One historical point is that would be his last film in the States before his self imposed exile. As the credits end our first shot is of the two men having a dinner together. The interviewer is polite but good at his job and moves in to the difficult, personal questions of Polanski’s legal issues. Polanski was charged not only with having sexual intercourse with a thirteen year old girl but also with giving her drugs and alcohol. In most societies such an offense against a child is considered the most reprehensible of all. The documentary makes a case against the judge who saw the case, Laurence J. Rittenband. To make her case the film maker uses comments by three people who had a vested interest in the case; defense attorney, Douglas Dalton, the prosecuting assistant D.A. Roger Gunson, and the young girl at the center of the allegation, Samantha Gailey Geimer. They are in general agreement that Judge Rittenband was far more interested in his own fifteen minutes of fame in the media than in an honest and just outcome to the proceedings. A lot is presented here to further this view of the trial. Rittenband apparently had his opinion already prepared and polished before the closing arguments were made. Ms Geimer’s family did not want Polanski prosecuted and two decades later would state that they have come to forgive him.

This documentary also touches on some of the other problems that Polanski experienced. His parents were in the Nazi concentration camps. While his father survived his mother was murdered in Auschwitz-Birkenau. When he was just approaching fame with his landmark film ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ it looked like life was going to turn out well for Polanski. At that time he was introduced to a new rising starlet, Sharon Tate. They couple fell in love and were married. In the summer in 1969 while Polanski was away on a business trip his wife and unborn child were murdered by the Mason family as part of their infamous killing spree. It would later be discovered that Susan Atkins was the one who actually murdered them.

Polanski openly admitted what he did with the girl was wrong. He claimed there were circumstances that he would not discuss but ultimately was convicted. He chose to flee back to France in a self imposed exile from his adopted country. Zenovich does make a parallel between the corruption of Judge Rittenband and the political landscape of ‘Chinatown’. She makes a sure point and it is well presented and fresh in its perspective. The film moves like a mystery giving the pieces to the audience in s slow but steady pace. It is ultimately up to us what to decide but the evidence is provided. The film is gripping and is one of the better documentaries to come around in quite awhile.