“Lies run sprints, but the truth runs marathons. The truth will win this marathon in court”- Michael Jackson.
There is nothing more resonating than this statement, which entails the four-part Netflix documentary’s overall theme: Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich. With an IMDB rating of 7.1 and 82% in Rotten Tomatoes, the show keeps the audience engaged. Jeffrey Epstein was a profound conman who used his charisma, network, speech and most importantly, his wealth to sail his way through. Epstein had great communication skills and would put them to great use whenever he was caught off-guard in any circumstance. He could talk, and he could make his money talk.
The documentary focuses on the background he had from his high school days to college, his rise as a financier in Wall Street, to his days of mingling with high ranked politicians slowly snowballing into his reputation as a sex offender. Although director Lisa Bryant approaches the narrative in a not-so-novel way compared to other investigative documentaries, the sheer amount of interviews involved is truly worth exposing.
“I wouldn’t let my daughters be in a five-mile radius of this man”, quipped Steve Scully, once Epstein’s employee in his private island who supervised his telecommunications and data equipment.
The show highlights all sorts of pedophilic activities, extensively subjecting underage girls. It further showcases the sensationalism behind his 2008 plea deal which was fine-tuned and well-orchestrated by Alexander Acosta, then US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Law Professor. The plea had granted him and his “co-conspirators” full immunity from all federal charges. This plea deal eventually led to his downfall years later.
The show stands out in the manner the major victims starting from Virginia Roberts, Courtney Wild, Maria and Anne Farmer and many more, account for their experiences. Mixed with powerful images from years gone by hooks the audience till the end.
3 Good things and 3 Bad
1) Short and Precise- The show doesn’t waste time starting right from the word GO. It immediately transports the audience in the front row to Epstein’s life.
2) The Narrative– The way it swings between the past and the presents without creating any lag between them. The Interviews of the Survivors, Police Officials, the press conferences, Alexander Acosta’s departure as Labor Secretary in 2019 from Trump’s administration, denials by Prince Andrew, Epstein’s associates at work and various investigative journalists and Epstein’s own depositions.
3) Cinematography, Original Locations and a Peek into the American Life.
1) No New information– As much as the showmakers project on the extreme lack of empathy of Epstein, there is no new information for the audience. The show lacked investigations behind the period of 1991-2006 when Epstein was associated with Fashion giant Leslie Wexner. It also lacked information on what went behind the scenes in the 2008 plea deal (“sweetheart deal”) as well as the mysterious circumstances of his death.
2) Hasty ending– The show definitely concluded one episode early. People don’t mind a six-part documentary if it has more information. The makers could have dealt more about his circle of wealth, his death and also his political affiliations. Multiple Images with Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and Prince Andrew leave the audience wanting more.
3) What happened to others?– Distinct lack of information on the fate of his co-conspirators, something that will leave the audience disappointed. Similar iterations are made by certain other notable reviewers as well.
Is the show watchable?
Every episode comes with the disclaimer that some of the images and graphical content could be inappropriate although the show is clean as much as it deals with the subject of sexuality and vulgar ethics. The show is a must-watch for infants in the genre of Investigative docuseries. Run time clocking just under an hour in each episode.
How does it impact psychology?
The show raises grave concerns as to how money can lead to loss of directions in the moral compass, how money could buy you freedom and most importantly, questions on how transparent the law is in any country. What we can gain solace is that justice prevailed, although some survivors believe that the mystery surrounding his death should be brought out to the open.
Overall Rating- 7.0/10.
Just not the regular Guy! 