This four part documentary is really an eye opener and a film that must have created a lot of havoc for the Massachusetts government. As far as entertainment value however, it’s long, monotone and drawn out to the point of tiring. That said, the production value is quite good and the actors and real individuals who came forward for the documentary/drama do a very good job of depicting the embarrassing event. But, you’ll have to decide on your own whether justice was actually served.
From 2004 to 2012 when she got caught for abusing and stealing drugs, Sonja Farak worked in a crime lab testing pills and powders found in possession of persons arrested by Massachusetts police. Working alone in the lab due to scheduling and funding, gave her the opportunity to become addicted to the evidence and the testing equivalent. This film is mainly her story, but with a second person Annie Dookhan who was later charged with similar wrongdoing.
Two major problems came out of the arrest and conviction of both Farak and Dookhan; the evidence tampering causes a question that since the drug samples must be kept for future retrial as well as decisions made in the courtroom based on the report sent to them, it could result in a mistrial of thousands of cases in which Farak and Dookhan did the testing. The second, involves the press, lawyers for the convicted, prosecutors and the cost of “fixing” the problem.
The film plays out in four parts giving the viewer a break where they can return and continue. Each episode is approximately 1 hour long and if the viewer would like to binge the whole 4 hours, it automatically continues to the next chapter. While the film is interesting and you get to see the workings of the crime chemistry lab, the courts and the lawyers involved, I found it a bit annoying, unconvincing and downright incredible that it all happened in the first place.
FINAL ANALYSIS: If you have Netflix and have been a shut-in like the rest of us due to COVID-19, it’s a perfect chance to see how government can get themselves into a “fix”. (2 out of 5 stars)
Additional Film Information:
Genre: Documentary/Drama
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, drug use
Running Time: 4 part Series
Opening Date: April 1, 2020
Distributed by: Jigsaw Productions
Released in: NETFLIX
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
