The Good

A revealing look at this enigmatic creator.

The Bad

No real extra features.Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired is an a very interesting look at the man who created such films as Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby, The Pianist and many others. While Polanski was tempestuous by nature, it is very hard to quantify what growing up in the ghettoes of Warsaw during World War II must've done to him. On top that, as his career was really beginning to take off, the love of his life, Sharon Tate, was viciously murdered by the Manson family. However, this film doesn't look at all of that for its focus. Rather, it looks at Polanski's "conviction for having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor." Polanski fled to France and has not been back on United States soil since.

Continuing to win awards with both commercial and critical hits, Roman Polanski makes for one of the most interesting character studies to ever fall under another director's lens.

Features

Audio Commentary

The commentary track on this DVD is done by director Marina Zenovich and editor Joe Bini. To be honest, I had a hard time following this. I was expecting anecdotes, stories, and an even more in-depth look at Roman Polanski. Instead, I was given more information about the production of this film that, had the subject matter not been so interesting, I probably would've really enjoyed. As it was, I think this is good stuff just nothing too special.

Deleted Scenes

Video

16:9 - 1.78:1. This movie looked as good as documentary films look. Mixing all manner of footage, I was very impressed and excited by how good the filmmakers got it all to look. Everything blends together really well, and the talking heads mix really nicely with the footage and still images that are presented here.

Audio

Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround/2.0 Surround. English and Spanish Subtitles. English Subtitles for the hearing impaired. The audio on this film was also good. Considering all the formats that the filmmakers had to wade through in order to bring this thing off, it is amazing that certain footage was, due to its age, audible at all. I only had to turn my TV up about half way and everything sounded fine.

Package

Roman Polanski with that classic, untrusting look on his face is the only image on this mainly white cover. The back features three images from this movie, a description of what the film is about, a Bonus Features listing, a credits list and technical specs.

Final Word

I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this documentary. I happen to love Roman Polanski's films (Repulsion might be his best), but I had always wondered if it was right to separate him from his crime. That was the argument I used when justifying my fanatical love for Woody Allen when people questioned me about his personal life. However, there is the argument that if you are filmmakers like Polanski and Allen, and your movies are generally personal statements, is what you're saying in your films really something that your fans can or should align themselves with?

All in all being on Roman Polanski's side is a slippery slope. It is apparent that something happened that was not right. At the same time, there seems to be circumstances and information that was kept from the public for a long time. It is in this gray area that Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired ses to reside.