UnionVGF's Movie of the Month Club: Brother's Keeper *Spoilers* (March 2014)

Plainview

Plainview

I am a sinner.
Sep 11, 2013
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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103888/?ref_=nv_sr_3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlDSGMAyUrE

This documentary by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky details the murder trial of Delbert Ward. Delbert was a member of a family of four elderly brothers, working as semi-literate farmers and living together in isolation from the rest of society until William's death. A police investigation and Medical Examiner's autopsy suggested that Bill may not have died from natural causes and Delbert was arrested on charges of Second-Degree Murder. Under questioning by police, Delbert appears to have waived his rights and signed a confession, but this film suggests that he may not have been competent to do so. The film explores possible motives for the crime, from 'mercy-killing' (Bill was ill at the time) to progressively more bizarre hypotheses. It also shows how residents of the rural community of Munnsville, NY rallied to the support of one of their own residents (previously considered a social outcast), against what they felt were intrusive 'big-city' police and District Attorney tactics.

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Why a movie of the month club?
Outside of video games movies seems to be the biggest medium we have in common as a community. Rather than quick reviews I felt it would be a fun change of pace to watch films and discuss them on a more detailed level.

What should be discussed in the thread?
Everything should be discussed but make each post worthwhile. We will discuss the dialogue, the acting, the cinematography, comparisons to other films, etc. Everything about the movie should, and hopefully will, be discussed.

Think essay when making a post in this thread.

This isn't necessarily a review thread. You can obviously post your impressions of the film but don't make it the largest part of your post.

Posts that add nothing to the discussion or veer off topic into other subjects will be removed.

How will movies be chosen?
Since I see a lot of movies my first criteria is it something I haven't seen? I look at movies recommended to me on various movie sites. I have a large to watch list on IMDB that I frequently look at, update and complete films from. I then choose films that I feel will garner vast discussions and promote back and forth dialogue between forum members.

The films won't always be films I haven't seen or haven't seen in a while. I will most definitely choose movies that are main stream that many have seen but feel the our film discussion community would enjoy discussing. I will probably alternate each month between movies I haven't seen and movies that will encourage a great discussion amongst us. The movies will be domestic, foreign, action, dramatic... Everything.

While I will try to select movies that are widely available, sometimes that's not possible as with the case of Upstream Color.
 
It was the right time for a documentary, and the genre was suggested by a couple others. I've wanted to see Brother's Keeper for a while but never had. This is a perfect time. There were other choices but I've seen many of them. I think documentaries will make a great discussion because there's more to talk about since it's about real life.
 
team56th said:
Personally this looks more interesting than the previous two, but we do need some real famous ones to get more traction.
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Grizzly Man was the first choice but it's not on Netflix. The next was Hoop Dreams but most have probably seen it. It's my favorite doc of all-time.
 
I like documentaries but unfortunately I have already seen this one so ….see you next month!
 
another movie i have never heard of (which is good!). will go into this blind again
 
Good choice. I heard some good stuff bout this movie. Now I'll have to get my ass in gear and watch this months.
 
Plainview said:
Grizzly Man was the first choice but it's not on Netflix. The next was Hoop Dreams but most have probably seen it. It's my favorite doc of all-time.
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Grizzly Mans a good flick. I'm surprised its not on Netflix, that's where I originally saw it, albeit years ago.
 
BDaddyK said:
Grizzly Mans a good flick. I'm surprised its not on Netflix, that's where I originally saw it, albeit years ago.
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Into the Abyss and Cave of Forgotton Dreams are both on Netflix if you're looking for some Herzog docs. Both are definitely worth watching.
 
blue said:
Into the Abyss and Cave of Forgotton Dreams are both on Netflix if you're looking for some Herzog docs. Both are definitely worth watching.
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Cave was another possible choice but the biggest draw was the 3D and you lose that when going streaming.

I'll be watching Brother's Keeper this weekend.
 
Plainview said:
Cave was another possible choice but the biggest draw was the 3D and you lose that when going streaming.
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Oh. I just watched on a 60 inch TV, stoned, in a dimly lit room. I recommend it.
 
Brother's Keep is an interesting dynamic between rural life and those from the city and suburbs. The documentary was as much about Delbert being guilty as it was the dynamic contrast between lifestyles. The documentary does a great job in letting the viewer draw their own conclusion as to Delbert's guilt. While the brother's lived in upstate New York it was as if they lived in the south somewhere or out west. How they live is foreign not most. The brother's share beds. They rarely socialize and keep to themselves. Their education seems to be far below what most would consider standard, key word there, seems.

It didn't take much for me to feel Delbert was innocent. Even if Delbert killed his brother, it seems as if it was done to ease his suffering. Looking at how they lived, to consider killing his brother Bill, Delbert and his brothers, Roscoe and Lyman must have felt Bill was suffering and in great pain. With the evidence presented in the documentary, I was OK with that.

The prosecution made some mistakes. The jury was made of of Delbert's peers, his town folk, and the prosecution was already at a disadvantage. When the prosecution tried to push the possible homosexuality angle, they claimed semen was found inside, and on, Bill, I think they sealed the decision right there. There was no chance the jury was going to convict Delbert after that. The defense had all of the power in this case.

Had this case been tried in a bigger city with more of a bigger city jury, I think the verdict would have been the same. The one big thing the defense had going for it was Delbert. Delbert entered the courtroom every day looking disheveled. He was unshaven and looked like he was on his last legs. The defense played this perfectly and was a strong card to play. I feel any jury would feel sympathy for Delbert seeing him like that. Add in Delbert's brothers' similar appearance and the defense held all of the cards.

Whether the death of Bill was a mercy killing, or of natural causes, I feel the correct verdict came down. The law does prohibit mercy killing, and I understand that, but I feel the Ward brothers must have had a very strong reason to kill Bill if it was a mercy killing. I don't see them coming to that decision lightly. I'm not sure I came to a decision myself as to what Delbert did, or didn't, do, and I'm OK with that.
 
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