Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father 2008

David Edelstein, New York Magazine/Vulture: Dear Zachary earns its right to engage us on a primal level, but it comes on the heels of so many films that don't, movies that...prey on modern fears and inflate third-rate material to the plane of tragedy. Read more

Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times: An undeniably shattering story, if forgivably shaky in its impassioned, therapeutic unfolding. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: The facts are so awful that Dear Zachary can be forgiven much of its antsiness -- as a memorial, as a condolence to Bagby's parents (who became activists for judicial reform in their late son's honor), and as a howl of grief. Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: A four-handkerchief documentary if there ever was one. Read more

Hank Sartin, Time Out: Just take our advice and bring tissues. You're going to need them. Read more

Mark Holcomb, Time Out: Read more

Stanley Kauffmann, The New Republic: A slick account of ancient crevices in the human psyche rendered in cutting-edge cinematic style. Read more

Peter Debruge, Variety: What begins as a poignant tribute to filmmaker Kurt Kuenne's dead best friend snowballs into a gut-wrenching true-crime story. Read more

Martin Tsai, Village Voice: A true-crime story so gripping, devastating, and ultimately unforgettable that it easily trumps any thriller Hollywood has to offer this year. Read more