Three Identical Strangers

Three Identical Strangers is an intriguing, true-life documentary directed by Tim Wardle, which premiered in 2018. The main cast includes Robert Shafran, David Kellman, Eddy Galland, Michael Domnitz, and Howard Schneider. This incredible vs. credible story offers an enthralling exploration of identity, family, and human behavior through an unprecedented reveal in human history.

The movie takes off from a seemingly ordinary incident back in 1980 when Robert Shafran, a 19-year-old young man, arrives at college and is mistaken for another student, Eddy Galland. Further twists unravel when they find out there's a third identical stranger, David Kellman. They were triplets separated at birth and adopted by three different families not knowing about each other's existence.

Their unexpected reunion turns into a poignant tale and a global sensation capturing media's attention. While celebrating their newfound relationship, they become famous overnight, appearing on talk shows, and begin to enjoy life at the peak of the 1980s New York scene. The triplets open a restaurant together, living collectively as a family they never thought they could have.

But as the movie progresses, it delves into the undercurrents of darker secrets, and a mystery uncloaks around the circumstances of their separation. While enjoying the joyous reunion, they, and subsequently the audience, are drawn into the unfolding mystery of why these triplets were separated at birth in the first place. This part of the film compounds a series of questions about ethics about certain practices, and probes issues dealing around nature versus nurture, and implies a conundrum of human psychological experiments.

The director, Tim Wardle, and his team went to great lengths to bring together archival footage, re-enacted scenes, and present-day interviews to recreate the uncanny journey of these separated triplets. Several face-to-face interviews with the people involved, including the adoptive parents, are an integral part of the documentary, rendering authenticity to it. His direction enables the audience to appreciate the depth of the bonds between brothers separated at birth and the emotional impact of their discovery on each other and their families.

Three Identical Strangers is a great blend of comedy, drama, and suspense, drawing the viewer in from its opening moments. It successfully walks the tightrope of being both a riveting, often comedic tale about long-lost brothers and a sober, investigative journalistic piece into the peculiar circumstances that pulled them apart.

The pacing and dramatic reveals of the documentary have a thriller's flavor, providing an engrossing watch that keeps the viewer on their toes. Its storytelling force is strong, immersing the audience with each passing revelation. The balanced portrayal of events is exceptional, making sure to portray the complexities of reality rather than painting everything in black and white. The critical themes subtly woven into the plot -- ethics in adoption practices, identity, family, and humanity— give the audience food for thought.

The film provokes thoughts about humanity, identity, nature vs. nurture, mental health, and the ethics of science. It's a stark reminder that truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, enveloping the audience in an engaging narrative, reflecting on the mysteries of life and the human condition.

The epitome of splendid documentary filmmaking, Three Identical Strangers connects with the audience on a deeply emotional level, taking them through the highs and lows, joys, and heartaches, of the triplets' extraordinary journey.

As multiple award winner including the 2018 Sundance Special Jury Prize, the movie has garnered both critical acclaim and public appreciation. It is a must-watch that strikes a balance between being informative and entertaining, leaving viewers captivated and thoughtful long after the credits roll.

Wondrous, touching, and ultimately haunting, Three Identical Strangers is a remarkable exploration of the profound questions of identity and the unreliability of memories. A captivating testament to the potential for human endurance, resilience, and the enduring power of familial bonds, it challenges our assumptions about the fundamental nature of the self, while serving as a reminder of the often unconsidered ethical implications of science and research.