Roman Polanski: Wanted & Desired (Mariana Zenovich, 2008)

This documentary by Mariana Zenovich describes the life and trials of Roman Polanski, the famed director of Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby, The Pianist, and many other great films. I have always been interested in being a film director, but I am not sure it would be worth it if I had to go through the trials and tribulations that Roman had to put up with. His parents killed by Nazis. The brutal murder of his gorgeous wife and unborn son by the Charles Manson Family is enough to crush a man alone.

Yet he lived on, continued to make films and try to enjoy life to the best of his ability. Only to get into a sticky situation--statutory rape. 13 years-old to be exact, a little young in California, well, not Baja California where the limit is 12 for some inexplicable reason! Not a very fun rap to have over your head. Anyways, the trial was not handled in what I would call a highly constitutional manner; more like a circus side show. One thing lead to an other and one of the greatest directors of our time hops on a flight to France never to return. Leaving him "wanted" in the US and still "desired" as a filmmaker abroad.

The film did an excellent job portraying the trial and life of Mr. Polanski and the media's fascination with celebrity and crime. Similar to a recent film I watched, only this seems to be the anti-thesis to Badlands. Where instead of the media glorifying a serial killer (Charlie Sheen) because he is young, beautiful and charming. Instead condemning Roman Polanski because he had consensual sex with an underage girl. It was a stupid decision on his part, because in my humble opinion, there are plenty of beautiful 18 years or older women out there to choose from.