The last 24 hours in the life of Nicole Brown Simpson is hardly a story that we haven't heard before. Anyone living in the US with a TV or a radio has heard almost every detail involved in what has proven to be one of the most infamous crimes of our generation.
We all remember the white Ford Bronco and the slow-moving car chase down the California freeway, the questions asked: "Where is he going?" "Is he going to kill himself?" We all remember those words echoed again and again: "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." The dime store show of OJ trying to fit the glove on his hand.
Watching this film, Nicole Brown Simpson: Her Final Hours, the last of the four Final 24 DVDs released in June by MVD Entertainment Group, had an unexpected effect on me. There were many details that I had forgotten: The fuss over the fast food OJ Simpson had gotten with Kato Kaelin. Did OJ eat his sandwich in the car or did he wait until he got home? What time did OJ call his girlfriend from his cell phone? The limo driver rang the bell, but no answer. He saw a figure that looked like OJ approach the back door, he called again and OJ answered. I was reminded of all of these details as I watched — but for the first time, with the perspective that years have allowed.
At the time of the murders it was easy enough to write our fascination off as merely another celebrity freak show. To convince ourselves that we were addicted to watching because it was a train wreck. But watching in hindsight, putting OJ Simpson's celebrity aside, the true horror of this tragedy hits full force, like a punch to the gut.
The brutality of the crime, and of the abuse that preceded it, is difficult to watch without the obscuring veil of Hollywood's nebulosity. Nicole, nearly decapitated, Ron Goldman slaughtered, both bodies left lying in the walkway in front of her home. The realization that, had it not been for Nicole's Akita tracking bloody paw prints on the sidewalk, the people most likely to have found their bodies were the two small children sleeping soundly upstairs in the house.
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Article comments
1 - doug m
Rather disturbing to see people profiting off a murder
2 - david nerman
I enjoyed your review. You should see the recently released on VOD - Overlooked Suspect... What If OJ Didn't Do It?
Very compelling documentary that follows a 15 year investigation by William C. Dear a Texas PI. Mr.Dear uncovers evidence that points to a suspect the LAPD and District Attorney's office over looked.
Cheers
David
3 - GG
Doug, I didn't make a cent. I swear.
The one thing that makes this film quite different from the ones that just want to exploit the murders for profit is that the producer really didn't focus on the actual murders so much. He brought in Nicole's therapist as I said, she had a lot to share about these sort of relationships, and Tanya, Nicole's sister, talks about that also. About the depth of love and the great relationship her family had with OJ--they vacationed together a lot, but they never knew what went on behind the front the couple created. They were blown away when they divorced.
But like I said, the video is not graphic, they re-enact and graph out what they think happened with the homicide detective. How the bodies fell etc.
This murder made millions on the headline of every magazine, newspaper and tv show. This was a different kind of discussion. And it really was interesting to get to know this woman who we all only really saw as a victim. They didn't rose-color your glasses either. She had her own faults. They are discussed as well.
But then it is titled "Nicole Brown Simpson"... seems fitting that it should be about her and what she was like in her day-to-day life.
4 - GG
David, I'm a dead crush kind of girl. Always interested new information about the deaths that affected me that way.
I'll have a peek.
Cheers to you as well!
5 - Sahar
GG, great review. You raise an excellent point - we focused so much on the whole celebrity train wreck that the horror of what happened might not have hit most of us.