Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (2008)

Directed by: Marina Zenovich

Is Roman Polanski a tragic figure or just a creep? Thus is the theme of Wanted and Desired. This is a fine documentary that is well crafted both structurally and thematically. It details Polanski's life from coming to America as a rising star in Hollywood to his exile. Part of what made this film so clever is the way it toyed with your emotions and feelings towards Polanski. We are first exposed to the allegations of Polanski and his relationship with a thirteen year old girl. He's charged with sodomy, providing drugs and alcohol to a minor among other charges that would make any honest person cringe and think nothing of Polanski other than someone who has taken advantage of his fame for his own perverted reasons.

We are then thrown into his very appropriate relationship with Sharon Tate and to make a long story short, she's murdered and Polanski falls apart. Hearing the testimonies of his friends, we learn how much Tate's murder destroyed Polanski, to quote the Shawshank Redemption, Polanski's behavior following his wife and unborn child's murder could at least be understood if not condoned.

This film truly portrays Polanski as a tragic, almost sympathetic figure... a brilliant man and a great filmmaker who has endured more than anyone should ever have to. Whether this portrayal is accurate is up to the viewer but from a film standpoint, it was done very well. It achieved that which any documentary intends to do, portray an opinion and/or shed a light on an interesting topic.

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