Leaving Neverland (B+ or 3/4 stars)
Michael Jackson left an enduring mark on pop culture for 40+ years. MJ might be the biggest pop icon in American culture. The longevity of his amazing career & his otherworldly talent is clear. However, the ghost that lived in the long, dark shadows of his career were the allegations of pedophilia & sexual abuse against young boys. Many people believed the allegations, many did not, & after his untimely death in 2009 it appeared that the public had moved on. But in this documentary, 'Leaving Neverland' (directed by Dan Reed) we are reminded of the excruciating pain & suffering caused by Jackson.
Through fearless interviews with 2 of his victims, James Safechuck & Wade Robson, their life-altering, gut-wrenching stories are told. The talking-head interviews delve deep into the lifestyle with Jackson, & helping show how the pop star could EASILY get people - young & old - to side with him. His victims felt a special, unbreakable connection to him in ways that are difficult to understand unless you were IN the situation. And the discussion around MJ will likely change after watching these 4 disturbing, but engrossing hours.
The story begins in the late 1980s with 2 adorable boys living worlds away. James Safechuck ('Jimmy', to Michael) began his relationship with Jackson when he was cast in one of his famous Pepsi commercials {he recalls that the 1st moment he met MJ was DURING the commercial, so as to elicit a genuine reaction of joy of seeing him for the 1st time}. James was not a fan before, but once his family began hanging out with MJ, they grew VERY close {this process is called "grooming"; tricking the boys & their families into a sense of normalcy}.
On the other end of the spectrum, Wade Robson IDOLIZED Jackson. After seeing the 1983 Thriller video, Wade - who would go on to become a renowned choreographer to the stars - learned all the moves in said video. When MJ visited Australia for a tour, Wade entered a dance competition where 1st place would meet the star. He won, & Jackson became so smitten with Wade's devotion, he even convinced Wade's mom to move to L.A.
Despite the 4-hour running time, Dan Reed gripped me. Reed splices in footage of the pop star through the years, but more than 75% of what we watch is the testimonials of James, Wade & their families (the now riddled-with-guilt mothers, sisters, brothers, grandmas, etc). With each passing moment & astute detail of their stories, you feel the utter grief & sadness just emanating off of these grown men; men who now have sons of their own.
The details of how Jackson lured these boys - and their families - into his world are fascinating. Jackson ingratiated himself to the families. He got them to trust him above anyone else. He wooed them. Enticed them with love, the promise that their children would 'make it'; even took them for extended trips to his incredible Neverland estate, and moved them from their homes to sunny California -- all with the promise that their son would be "the one". And for the children, he made them feel that they were the only humans who mattered; leading to sexual situations that a 7 or 10 yr. old boy couldn't possibly perceive as anything "bad". For these children, what Michael said & did to them behind closed doors felt - and I quote - "good".
Hearing James & Wade speak of how Jackson eased them into the sexual abuse is uncomfortable to listen to. But the most striking thing about this doc is the ways these men talk about their emotions THEN & their mental states NOW. The justifications given to them by Michael are dispiriting. What's worse is that they internalized these justifications, causing profound scars in their psyche. They were fed lies by Jackson & scared into never revealing the sex acts {ensuing allegations & court trials would not deter the boys from telling their version of the "truth"}; which subsequently caused them to place blame on themselves as ADULTS when they finally realized that what Jackson was doing to them back in the day was abuse ... and not love.
These families got torn apart by Michael {divorce, suicide, etc}. Wade is farther along in his emotional recovery than James is; James seems out to sea, unfortunately - hopefully they'll heal & get to good place, one day. Michael Jackson was found innocent by a jury many yrs. ago, but I tend to believe these accounts and, even if I didn't, it's hard to ignore the bizarre behavior that MJ engaged in with children, anyway. It's hard to separate the man from his talent. I love MJ's music. But he was a troubled soul and, I'll never look at him the same way again.
Through fearless interviews with 2 of his victims, James Safechuck & Wade Robson, their life-altering, gut-wrenching stories are told. The talking-head interviews delve deep into the lifestyle with Jackson, & helping show how the pop star could EASILY get people - young & old - to side with him. His victims felt a special, unbreakable connection to him in ways that are difficult to understand unless you were IN the situation. And the discussion around MJ will likely change after watching these 4 disturbing, but engrossing hours.
The story begins in the late 1980s with 2 adorable boys living worlds away. James Safechuck ('Jimmy', to Michael) began his relationship with Jackson when he was cast in one of his famous Pepsi commercials {he recalls that the 1st moment he met MJ was DURING the commercial, so as to elicit a genuine reaction of joy of seeing him for the 1st time}. James was not a fan before, but once his family began hanging out with MJ, they grew VERY close {this process is called "grooming"; tricking the boys & their families into a sense of normalcy}.
On the other end of the spectrum, Wade Robson IDOLIZED Jackson. After seeing the 1983 Thriller video, Wade - who would go on to become a renowned choreographer to the stars - learned all the moves in said video. When MJ visited Australia for a tour, Wade entered a dance competition where 1st place would meet the star. He won, & Jackson became so smitten with Wade's devotion, he even convinced Wade's mom to move to L.A.
Despite the 4-hour running time, Dan Reed gripped me. Reed splices in footage of the pop star through the years, but more than 75% of what we watch is the testimonials of James, Wade & their families (the now riddled-with-guilt mothers, sisters, brothers, grandmas, etc). With each passing moment & astute detail of their stories, you feel the utter grief & sadness just emanating off of these grown men; men who now have sons of their own.
The details of how Jackson lured these boys - and their families - into his world are fascinating. Jackson ingratiated himself to the families. He got them to trust him above anyone else. He wooed them. Enticed them with love, the promise that their children would 'make it'; even took them for extended trips to his incredible Neverland estate, and moved them from their homes to sunny California -- all with the promise that their son would be "the one". And for the children, he made them feel that they were the only humans who mattered; leading to sexual situations that a 7 or 10 yr. old boy couldn't possibly perceive as anything "bad". For these children, what Michael said & did to them behind closed doors felt - and I quote - "good".
Hearing James & Wade speak of how Jackson eased them into the sexual abuse is uncomfortable to listen to. But the most striking thing about this doc is the ways these men talk about their emotions THEN & their mental states NOW. The justifications given to them by Michael are dispiriting. What's worse is that they internalized these justifications, causing profound scars in their psyche. They were fed lies by Jackson & scared into never revealing the sex acts {ensuing allegations & court trials would not deter the boys from telling their version of the "truth"}; which subsequently caused them to place blame on themselves as ADULTS when they finally realized that what Jackson was doing to them back in the day was abuse ... and not love.
These families got torn apart by Michael {divorce, suicide, etc}. Wade is farther along in his emotional recovery than James is; James seems out to sea, unfortunately - hopefully they'll heal & get to good place, one day. Michael Jackson was found innocent by a jury many yrs. ago, but I tend to believe these accounts and, even if I didn't, it's hard to ignore the bizarre behavior that MJ engaged in with children, anyway. It's hard to separate the man from his talent. I love MJ's music. But he was a troubled soul and, I'll never look at him the same way again.