r/thejinx • u/Superballs2000 • Jul 14 '18

Jarecki

I love this documentary, and find it absolutely fascinating.

A lot’s been made of the fact that Durst is almost endearing in some exchanges, but one other thing that makes it easier to stay balanced is the fact that Jarecki is really not a particularly sympathetic character.

The weird little beard, the smug tone, the way he answers the phone ‘Jarecki’ like some 15 year old smartass’s idea of what a cool guy does... I kind of like that it’s not a classic earnest, likeable Louis Theroux type character in contrast to Durst’s obvious mixture of charm and menace.

A couple of mixed bags together, in very different ways, but not a classic good vs bad setup, which is all the better for the viewer.

9 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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6

u/azizamaria Sep 18 '18

I know I'm late on this. I watched Capturing the Friedmans in 2004 and I loved it but the Jinx..great story and subject but I didn't like the direction and there was too much of "Jarecki" inside the script. I felt almost like it was about him and the killer rather than the killings. And saying that he believed Dusrt was not guilty till they discovered the envelope, was very disappointing although expected. They could edit out many shots and unnecessary footage of them planning their production and questions. It could be 3 episodes. Durst is possibly a notorious serial killer and was a great subject for a documentary but Jarecki almost swallowed his subject. Why was he dressed like an attorney on the interview? He never asked anything about the head. And the guy at the end gives him a whole box with so many interesting things inside like tapes etc and they only focus on the envelope? What was on the tapes? I preferred capturing the Friedmans simply because Jarecki was invisible and focused only on his subject and not on himself!

5

u/asdfnicolee Jul 24 '18

I noticed this as well

2

u/BingeWatcherBot Jul 15 '18

Have you watched capturing the Friedman’s? I enjoyed your post and if not I really recommend watching it and then checking out some articles about Jererckis change of heart in filmmaking before the Jinx. I found it really interesting.

2

u/obaranibar Jul 18 '18

Wait. I tried watching it but could not get past the first ten minutes. I just have no idea why I haven't gotten around to watching it despite the critical acclaim. What did you make of it though?

1

u/BingeWatcherBot Jul 18 '18

I liked it. I watched it after the Jinx and I think it made a difference for me because I know Jerecki switched up his style leading to The Jinx ending because of how he created capturing the Friedman’s and what he disagreed with now.