There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane

There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane is a compelling and moving documentary, directed by the skilled Liz Garbus. Premiered in 2011, it centers on the echoes of an unsettling highway accident which occurred on July 26, 2009. The film sets focused on Diane Schuler, performed powerfully by herself in archive footage, who became infamously recognized for leading this fatal incident. Alongside the impactful portrayal of Diane Schuler, Jesse Temple and Brad Katinas also gave striking performances, imbuing the story with the emotive depth it deserves.

In the film, Diane is portrayed as an attentive mother of two and a dedicated aunt, who had previously shown herself to be responsible, competent, and quite frankly, an ordinary suburban working mother. However, on that fateful day in July 2009, Diane drove a minivan with five young children on board the wrong way on a New York Parkway, terminating into a fatal crash leaving only her young son as the survivor. The heartrending incident not only claimed the lives of three men from another car but also took the lives of Diane, her daughter, and her three nieces.

There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane intricately picks up the obscure fragments of this tragedy in its pursuit of truth. The film presents a detailed study into Diane’s life and final day, scrutinized through interviews with family members, friends, eyewitnesses, and investigators. Unanswered questions are lifted to the foreground, and elusive clues to her actions examined meticulously. The film takes special interest in the incongruity between Diane's character and her final actions, intensifying the bewilderment surrounding the incident.

An omnipresent narrative thread throughout the documentary is the steadfast denial by Diane's husband Daniel Schuler and sister-in-law Jay Schuler, portrayed passionately by Brad Katanis and an ensemble cast. Despite toxicology reports illustrating high levels of alcohol and marijuana in Diane's system at the time of the accident, they remain unwilling to accept Diane's accountability. Their perspective, laden with grief and disbelief, runs as a constant undercurrent and adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. The wordless question reverberates throughout the film - could the responsible, nurturing, and seemingly normal Aunt Diane they knew have done such a thing?

The documentary’s blend of raw, close-to-home interviews and thorough investigative work makes it gripping and turbulent. Rather than proposing definitive answers, it opens up a space of contemplation on the issue, raising profound questions about responsibility, denial, and the possibility of concealed substance abuse. There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane is a relentless pursuit of the truth, yet simultaneously, it is a touching portrayal of a family trying to come to terms with a sorrowful mystery wrapped in denial and defence.

Director Liz Garbus’s approach is commendable. She tackles head-on the circumstantial controversy, high emotional intensity, and intricacy involved in a story that rocked American suburbia. The exceptional cinematography captures each interview with raw intensity, laying bare the bewildered emotions in each character. The drama and mystery unfolding in each frame is heightened by the hauntingly melancholic musical score.

There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane delivers an impactful exploration of a seemingly unthinkable act. As poignant as it is perplexing, the documentary plays out like a tragic puzzle, a haunting investigation into the hidden corners of our lives. The narrative brings the audience nearer to understanding the subtleties in the lives of suburban families and the undercurrents that may run unseen beneath the surface.

In conclusion, There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane is not just a chilling account of a tragic event. It is a mirror held up to society itself, reflecting the intricacies of human behavior, the power of denial, and the complexity of family dynamics when faced with unthinkable tragedy. It's a must-watch for those captivated by detailed investigations that dig deep into the mysteries of human nature. Above all, it stands as a poignant reminder of the tragedies that can unfold when something is profoundly amiss, yet rendered unseen or unspoken until it's too late.