The Central Park Five (2012) Review in 2025
The Central Park Five is a documentary film that tells the story of five black and Latino teenagers wrongly accused of a brutal rape in Central Park in 1989. The film explores the events that led to their conviction and the subsequent exoneration.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
This documentary is not suitable for young children due to mature themes and graphic content.
CineReview Recommendation
This documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in true crime, social justice, or the complexities of the American justice system.
Spoiler Alert!
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The film reveals how the five teenagers were coerced into confessing to a crime they did not commit, and how the police and prosecutors used questionable tactics to secure their convictions. The film also explores the aftermath of their exoneration and the impact it had on their lives.
Review Details
story9.50/10
The story is engaging and thought-provoking, exploring the complexities of the case and the impact it had on the lives of the five teenagers.
acting8.50/10
The acting is strong, with the five teenagers delivering powerful performances that convey the emotions and struggles of their characters.
characters9.00/10
The characters are well-developed and relatable, with each of the five teenagers sharing their own unique perspective on the events.
direction9.00/10
The direction is strong, with Ken Burns using a range of techniques to bring the story to life and convey the emotions of the characters.
cinematography8.00/10
The cinematography is effective, using a mix of archival footage and reenactments to recreate the events of the case.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The Central Park Five is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that explores a shocking and disturbing case. The film is well-made, with strong direction and cinematography, and the performances from the five teenagers are powerful and emotional.
Cons
The film can be emotionally challenging to watch, particularly for those who are sensitive to graphic content or disturbing themes.
Notable Quotes
"I was just a kid, I didn't know what was going on."
"I was scared, I was confused, I was just a kid."
"The system failed us, it failed us miserably."
