Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy makes a movie for his dead friend’s son, but it turns into a legal thriller about a crazy ex-girlfriend, and it’s way more depressing than it sounds.

🍿 Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Filmmaker’s Tribute

In 2001, Dr. Andrew Bagby is tragically murdered shortly after ending his relationship with his girlfriend, Shirley Turner. Devastated by the loss of his close friend, filmmaker Kurt Kuenne begins creating a film as a memorial to Andrew. The project takes on a new dimension when Turner announces she is pregnant with Andrew’s son, Zachary.

A Custody Battle

Andrew’s parents, David and Kathleen Bagby, move to Newfoundland, Canada, where Turner has relocated, to be closer to their grandchild. They navigate a complex and emotionally draining legal battle to gain custody of Zachary, while Turner remains a central figure in their lives. The film documents their struggle to maintain a relationship with Zachary despite the circumstances.

Justice Denied?

The documentary highlights the perceived failures of the Canadian legal system in handling Turner’s case. As Turner fights extradition to the United States, the Bagbys grapple with a system they believe is enabling a murderer. The film questions whether justice can be served and if Zachary can find peace amidst the turmoil.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kurt Kuenne (Kurt Kuenne): A filmmaker and close friend of Andrew Bagby, who creates a documentary as a memorial for Andrew’s son, Zachary.
• Andrew Bagby (Andrew Bagby): A well-loved medical resident whose life is tragically cut short by his ex-girlfriend.
• Shirley Turner (Shirley Turner): Andrew’s ex-girlfriend, who murders him and later becomes the focus of a custody battle over their son, Zachary.
• David Bagby (David Bagby): Andrew’s father, who, along with his wife, fights for custody of his grandson, Zachary, and seeks justice for his son’s murder.
• Kathleen Bagby (Kathleen Bagby): Andrew’s mother, who dedicates herself to raising Zachary and advocating for legal reform after her son’s death.
• Zachary Andrew Turner (Zachary Andrew Turner): Andrew’s son, whose life and tragic death become a central point of the documentary.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kurt Kuenne: “I have a good idea: I’ll go back in time and stop you from dying.” – Said to Andrew in a home movie clip, highlighting the deep sense of loss and the impossibility of changing the past.
• David Bagby: “We will never give up on Zachary.” – Demonstrates the unwavering love and commitment of Andrew’s parents towards their grandson, even amidst unimaginable circumstances.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $18,334
• Worldwide Gross: $18,334

💥 Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father Reviews

Personal Review

This documentary wrecked me. I went in expecting a touching tribute, but it became a gut-wrenching examination of loss, justice, and the failures of the legal system. The interviews with Andrew’s friends and family were so heartfelt and the home movie footage made him feel so alive. I was completely unprepared for the dark turns the story takes, and the ending left me speechless and heartbroken. It’s a film I won’t soon forget.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “True crime documentary fans”
  • “Viewers interested in legal dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate emotional and thought-provoking stories”
  • “Individuals interested in family dynamics and custody battles”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic descriptions of violence”
  • “Suicide”
  • “Child death”
  • “Disturbing content related to mental illness”
  • “Mature themes and language”

Professional Reviews

• ScreenRant: “Dear Zachary is one of the most devastating documentaries ever made, which examines the complexities and impacts of grief while holding the true-crime genre’s structural tropes in place.
• IMDB User Review: “The rapid-firing images with overlaying voices added to sudden loud noises (yells, music, just noise) really took away from this horrible and heartbreaking story of murder and loss. There is so much that could have been shared with the viewers, without all the weird camera and audio.

Audience Reactions

The emotional impact is incredibly strong, leaving viewers deeply moved and shaken.: Viewers praise the film’s raw emotion, powerful storytelling, and unflinching look at grief and injustice.

The film is hard to watch, but important and thought-provoking.: The story is captivating and will haunt your memory.

Overall Consensus: Dear Zachary is a powerful and emotionally devastating documentary that explores themes of love, loss, and justice, leaving a lasting impact on viewers. While difficult to watch, it is a thought-provoking and ultimately unforgettable experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Kurt Kuenne, the director, was a close childhood friend of Andrew Bagby and initially intended the film as a personal video for Zachary, Andrew’s son, to know his father.”
• “The film’s focus shifted dramatically as events unfolded during production, turning it from a memorial into a true-crime documentary and a critique of the Canadian legal system.”
• “David and Kathleen Bagby, Andrew’s parents, actively participated in the film, sharing their experiences and advocating for changes in bail laws.”

🖥️ How to Watch Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father?

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is available to rent or purchase on several platforms. You can find it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as it may also be included with subscriptions from time to time.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, you might like these similar films:

• Capturing the Friedmans (2003): Explores a complex family dynamic amidst a disturbing true crime narrative, focusing on the impact on family members.
• The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (2015): A chilling true-crime documentary series that unravels a series of unsolved mysteries and features unexpected twists and turns.
• Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996): A disturbing look into a controversial criminal case, raising complex questions about guilt, innocence, and the justice system.

🛒 Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father Related Products

• Dancing with the Devil: A Memoir of Murder and Loss: David Bagby’s firsthand account of the tragic events surrounding his son’s death and the fight for justice. It’s an emotionally resonant companion to the documentary.
• Forensic Files: A docuseries exploring a wide range of different forensic topics, just like the ones that are presented in the ‘Dear Zachary’ movie.
• True Crime Documentary Collection: A collection of highly-rated true crime documentaries exploring a wide range of criminal cases.

🎧 Soundtrack

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dear Zachary” – performed by Kurt Kuenne

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Must-See Documentaries

Looking for a powerful documentary? YMS (Your Movie Sucks) recommends ‘Dear Zachary’ in his must-see list! He has pretty good taste in movies, so this definitely made me want to watch it!

TOP 10 Disturbing Documentaries | Spookyastronauts

Want a documentary that will leave you speechless? Spookyastronauts includes ‘Dear Zachary’ in their top 10 most disturbing documentaries. Honestly, I’m not sure if I can handle it, but now I kind of want to watch it to find out why it’s on the list.

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