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Brother's Keeper
Directed by: Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky
Starring: Delbert Ward
Genre:
Documentary/Independent
Run Time: 104 min.
Release Date:
September 1992
On The Web:
Unofficial
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Making a myopic documentary can often be a death
sentence. But delving into one community and one family can be done well
if you don’t lose focus. And thankfully directors Joe Berlinger and
Bruce Sinofsky (Paradise Lost and 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed
America) inherently realized this and kept their cameras firmly in the
faces of the Ward family and their surrounding New York community.
Reeling from the alleged murder of 64-year-old Bill Ward by his brother
Delbert, the Ward family and their neighbors circle their wagons in
support of Delbert. From the get-go we’re aware of the Ward brothers’
minimal education and unhealthy lifestyle (their home is a stinking
shack surrounded by a dairy farm). We’re also privy to the fact that
Bill was not a well man. His illness is never fully explained, but one
could easily surmise cancer as a cause. Initially the story seems bent
toward a mercy killing; Delbert smothering brother Bill one night to
“put him out of his misery.” But then homosexual incest rears up (none
of the Ward brothers were married), as does animosity between the
brothers.
Delbert initially confesses to the murder, but without legal
representation present and without apparent knowledge of his rights (a
pretty big mistake from a legal standpoint). Delbert is arrested but
quickly posts bail thanks to the rural community rallying to his side.
No one can believe that Delbert killed Bill. Indeed, Delbert confesses
his innocence and states that the only reason he admitted to killing
Bill was because he wanted to “get back home.”
Receiving multiple nominations at film festivals across the globe in
1992, BROTHER’S KEEPER holds quite the moral quagmire for viewers. Some
will view Delbert’s confession as solid proof that he did it. Others may
feel he was the victim of a legal system that is only interested in
prosecuting the least of its citizens. Still others may believe Delbert
to be guilty of a mercy killing and be happy at the outcome of the
trial.
Regardless of ones legal or moral leanings, this story certainly is
gripping in its honesty, showing both sides of the dilemma without
flinching.
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Image from Brother's
Keeper
DVD cost: $19.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Dr. Cyril Wecht, a noted
Allegheny County forensic pathologist, wrote the book, Cause of Death.
One of the cases discussed in it is Delbert Ward's.
Movie Quote: "I
just wanted to get home."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Fountain
None Available |
