Into the Fire: La figlia scomparsa

This is how all documentaries should be. It's a story that appears to be more fiction than fact and at times I was literally gobsmacked at the revelations and the dedication of this mother to find out what happened to her daughter after she gave her up for asoption at the age of 9 months so she could give her better opportunities with the encouragement of her own mother. Cathy., the mother, is only 16 and the pressure applied was immense.

The twists and turns of the story starts when Cathy receives a letter from an Adoption Agency, outlining that her daughter went missing years and years before and requesting a DNA sample..

From then on Cathy goes on a relentless mission to find her daughter. Her courage and stamina is amazing.

At no point does this doc falter or swerve its focus. The uncovering of all that happened is complete dog work and my only curiosity lay in where Cathy's financial resources lay as she had to pay many of the investigators who did not come cheaply.

I won't lay down any spoilers as even the slightest one would reveal too much.

Suffice to say and with relentless police work on a "dead file" the shocking truth is revealed and justice, though far too late, prevails.

Gripping and well paced.

Hat tip to Neflix.

9/10

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For those who lost a close family member under unacceptable circumstances this piece is extremely painful to watch. It's incredible how this predator has managed to survive all these years. DNA evidence was really a game changer for many cold cases but it's still hard to believe that no one ever suspected him. Kudos to Cathy for her strength and determination!!

And the wife... oh my goodness that woman is the textbook example of being delusional. You do not have to be the smartest but still have some kind of common sense, but this "lady" lacks almost all instincts and feelings a mother should have. I only can guess how healthy their biological child can be having these parents.

A beautiful examination of a mom's pursuit to unearth the truth. Meticulous research. Beautifully displayed. This story stays with you. The only criticism would be it is such a captivating story I sense that with a little less Netflix paint by numbers storytelling and a little more artistry - this could've been 2020s The Thin Blue Line. Not being dismissive but the "walk into the fire" theme felt like a 13 year old trying to wrap a lame poem around a very serious and heart wrenching story. All said, I've been sat here thinking about the events, the characters, and the failure of the state to protect this poor little girl... it's a harrowing entry into true crime.

As the mother of a little girl I had such a hard time watching this story. It is completely captivating and Cathy is an incredible woman. It's rare that a true crime documentary grabs me in this way without leaving me sad and stressed. The way the story unfolded and the reveals felt natural and welcome, not overblown or manufactured. The story is just actually that shocking.

So many themes are present that are timely in today's world - the myth that all adoption stories are full of hope and positivity; the way women in abusive marriages are brainwashed to ignore, deny and defend the abuser's behaviour; how the policing and justice system fails missing, abused and murdered women every single day.

The 'reenactment' B-roll scenes were cheesy and unnecessary, and the format would have been better split into 4 shorter episodes, as the two halves both felt like they had natural split points. Otherwise, very successful. Highly recommend.

Good True Crime doc from Netflix, which unfortunately is far too rare and long in between something interesting and well produced.

Some creators would milk this story, and make it a drawn-out mess over 5 episodes, but this had a good, fast pace.

The information and how the story is built, keeps the viewer glued, and entertained, without too many repititions.

Next to nothing of mundane or irrevelant information also, or revelations that serves nothing of interest to the doc or story. Bravo!

However, my intentions were not to write a review, but an appeeciaton post. I just wanted to voice my greatfulness towards people like Carl Koppelman, whom I learned of watching this doc.

I really have the deepest respect for people dedicating their time, competency, emotions, grit and thoroughness towards helping others.

In his case also entirely non-profit, (even though he should allow donations, cause he really deserves so much for how many he have helped) which makes him so honorable in my book.

His only goal is to help, and solve, as many cases as he possibly can. Makes me really inspired, I am so happy coexisting with people this kind and dedicated to helping others.

Deserves a medal.