Asesinato en Middle Beach

This is not really a review of Murder on Middle Beach only to say it is worth a watch. I am more concerned with the breed of reviewer that has emerged on IMDB and feels the need to tell people to ignore others opinions and he or she has the correct review, ala catherinepageellwood but certainly not only that member. The idea of a review is to get that persons take on the movie/series. If one does not agree with the reviewer then write your own review and let others decide for themselves. Trashing other people's reviews is just plain ignorant and a bit egotistical to say the least plus they can be a bit suspect.. I know there are sometimes when a review beggars belief and one thinks that maybe the reviewer was involved in the project but for the most part I think the vast majority of reviewers are honest people giving their honest opinion, that it differs from your experience makes it no less valid than the opinion of others. Have some Respect.

"Murder on Middle Beach" (2020 release; 4 episodes of about 55 min. each) is a TV documentary mini-series regarding the murder of Barbara Hamburg. As Episode 1 "Mom's Dead" opens, it is "March 3, 2010", and the local TV reporter informs the viewers that a body was found on Middle Beach Rd., in Madison, CT. The body is of a 48 yr. old woman, Barbara Hamburg. We briefly hear of Barbara's mother, sister, and her son Madison (who wrote, produced and directed this mini-series). We then go to "2013 Three Years After the Murder" and Madison is talking to his dad (Barbara's ex-husband), who confesses that "She had a life I had no idea she had"... At this point we are 10 min. into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: Madison Hamburg makes his feature length debut with this very personal look back to his mom's life and times, and yes, murder. While Episode 1 contains the usual "happy" memories of the couple's early years including the birth of their 2 children, it becomes also clear that several things just feel off (check the ex-husband's 2013 comment I mentioned, for starters). The opening episode is not only surprisingly plot-heavy almost from the get-go, but it also feels very dark, as if a lot more bad stuff is going to be revealed to us the viewers. Of course I'm not going to spoil anything, just watch! This feels like a labor of love from the son, who has spent years (literally) on this project. I must say that this opening episode drew me in almost immediately, and I can't wait to see how it's all going to play out in the remaining three episodes. Must-see true crime TV!

"Murder on Middle Beach" premiered this weekend on HBO and Episode 1 is now available on HBO On Demand and other streaming services. New episodes air Sunday evenings at 10 pm Eastern. If you are a fan of true crime or simply love a documentary well made, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

I felt compelled to step in after reading some of these other reviews, which just seem needlessly harsh because they can't look past this kid's background and evaluate the storytelling.

To be fair, I agree with what some have said about the first episode being a bit slow. It hits many story beats that are now well worn territory in the true crime genre.

It definitely picked up a lot in the second episode for me though and I'm hoping the momentum continues. Other than the murder mystery (which I get the sense is unlikely to be solved by the end but who knows), what is mainly keeping me interested is the family dynamics that were kept secret from the filmmaker for most of his life, that he is now slowly uncovering. It definitely provoked a feeling I would bet that most people can relate to - how you can come to see your family in a different light once you have some distance from the innocence of your youth, for better or for worse.

At the end of episode 2, I went to play the next episode and was disappointed to find out that it hadn't been released yet. Overall, I'm excited to watch more and see where this is all going!

You must appreciate this young man's efforts to document his moms murder and yes, it's an academic documentary at first. Keep watching! Once HBO gets hold of this, the production moves to another level of intrigue and mystery. Sure hope the murder gets solved.

The courage and utter perseverance for Madison to pursue his mother's murder is beyond heroic. My only light at the end of this dark tunnel is that Madison Hamburg is going to make it. Well done

The opening episode is, perhaps deliberately, misleading. We have a young filmmaker (whose talent becomes evident as the film stretches over several years) making a movie--perhaps a class assignment--about his family. A family where his mother was brutally murdered when he was 18 years old. It's understandable that a young filmmaker would focus on what is most important to him. It is unusual that it turns out that his mother's unsolved murder would be his choice. Few families have such material at hand. And slowly, and cunningly, as details of what appears to be a family living the American dream of privilege despite a divorce, there's a dark center that's revealed more and more with each episode. The construction of the film is masterful. It would be interesting to know why the filming stops from time to time. Is it too painful? Are the revelations that are uncovered (for the audience) too threatening? But we're lucky Madison Hamburg returns to his camera and the story. He's made a sensational documentary about some very "layered" individuals who just happen to be his relatives.

It's not important that the audience shifts (often quickly) about who might be murderer. The crime scene indicates "passion" and "shame" over the killing. But when a close family member reveals she's sought out a "hitman" as well as other sensational facts that shift suspicion--convincingly and dramatically--propelling the film to its next even more sensational episode.

HIs mother is not simply a "lady who lunches." Although she does but with a very sinister twist. Yet all those interviewed seem to be making an effort to be sincere due to their love for the victim and the filmmaker. The veneer everyone presents is very convincing. Then that's exploded by the next interview. The police (surreptitiously taped) become frustrating in the casual pursuit of the solving the crime. It all puts the viewer in a state of conflict since we're used to looking for the one "bad guy" who committed the crime. We're given a very clear picture of some very flawed people who are trying their best to move on.