Allen contra Farrow

"HBO" has once again done it with a near excellent and blunt revealing doc as this looks at and examines the real life drama between Woody Allen and Mia Farrow, as a viewer you are drawn into the drama of "Allen v. Farrow" as the 4 part doc has you asking for questions as to who to believe or not to believe. Clearly you see a family that has been torn apart as Mia had to deal with her filmmaking partner Woody having an affair and later marriage to her daughter Soon-Yi, to complicate matters bad things may have went down between Woody and Mia's adopted 7 year old daughter Dylan. Director Kirby Dick really moves this doc with intimate and real feel by showing vintage old home family movies, clips and drawings of court documents, interviews, and real network news reports as even raw evidence was examined in this very high profile case that involved custody and abuse. Overall watching you feel emotion while looking at a pop culture legend in Allen still you can form your own decision from watching as this is one must see headlining documentary.

As someone who was also the victim of child sex abuse by a step-father, I can easily relate to Dylan's story. And I am also one of those who was lucky enough to have a mother who believed me when I told her what had been going on for 4 years right under her nose. Although she immediately took me out of harm's way and divorced the man, he was not prosecuted for the same reason Allen wasn't... they didn't want to traumatize me anymore than I had already been. My memories are as clear today as they were more than 60 years ago as to what happened to me, and I have zero doubt that it is the same for Dylan.

One thing that Allen's supporters seem to ignore is that it takes time to coach a child into a story like this and Dylan's story was revealed very, very shortly after it happened. Hardly enough time for Mia to have convinced her daughter of something that hadn't really happened, I would say.

Anyway, I think the producers allowed Allen to have his say, even though he refused any personal interviews for this story. In my book, that is fair and unbiased reporting. Two thumbs up for this informative and worthwhile film series.

Well made documentary and excellently told story. This needs to be seen by all. I have seen the hole series and I found it to be shockingly truthful. It is visually beautiful and well edited, even if it is so heartbreaking. Dick and Ziering build up a strong piece with new never shown material, footage and recorded phone calls, combined with interviews with prosecutors, witnesses and child psychologists. They don't choose the truth, it was out there and they grabbed for i, cause it cannot be ignored anymore. This is a story about a horrible family tragedy, but it is also a story of our culture, and the context we live in, a context that lets powerful men off the hook. It's about lack of justice and what part media plays in it. In the core, how ever, is a little girl who was stolen of her innocence and childhood, who was not heard or believed. This little girl is a grown woman now, and it's time to listen to her.

It seems as if many of the 1 star reviews were made before the show even aired (?) or after only 1 episode. Episode 3 aired last night and delved into the facts of the case and the investigation ...and it is very damming for Woody Allen and shows how the things that were done in 1992, likely would not have happened if it occured in 2020. It also refutes numerous problems with the findings, as well as showing how only 2-9% of victims "make up" a story...meaning about a 91-98% chance that something happened. I believe Woody Allen has already been cancelled essentially by most of Hollywood, but many people do not know this story and he is apparently still using his power and influence to buy 1 star reviews. Trying to silence the opposition - which is exactly what this documentary is about. It is similar to the unsettling feeling of the Micheal Jackson documentary which also had people trying to rail against it. It is absolutely worth seeing, is well done, and is thought provoking in how the events of that time are seen much differently from the lens of 2020. (Not in 1992 in which Woody Allen controlled the narrative, and seemingly everything about the case.)

I see many are saying this documentary is biased and presents only one side. Allen said his "truth" out loud back in the 90's when he attacked with all weapons, based on his money, connections and popularity. Nobody heard Farrow back then. So it is Farrow's turn to tell her story. I'm pleased she talked, so women become aware how dangerous narcissistic men can be.