The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst

This is probably one of the best real crime docu-series out there. At least since documentaries like "Paradise Lost" or "The Staircase", we should know how important this genre has become, solving a lot of cases. Really recommend this one.

A 4.5 hours HBO investigation/court documentary split into 6 episodes (or chapters).

This is a fascinating documentary by Andrew Jarecki, who also directed "Capturing the Friedmans (2003)" - one of the best court documentaries I've ever seen. It also tells the real life story of the man on which the movie "All Good Things (2010)", also directed by Jarecki, is loosely based.

Like in two other amazing investigation/court documentaries - those about serial killer Aileen Wuornos and the West Memphis Three - this is another example where the filmmaker finds himself getting involved in the story and having a direct and major affect on the case.

If you haven't heard about this in the news, you might want to avoid reading about the case before watching the documentary - although I did read about it (and then recalled the news several months ago) and it didn't spoil the fascination of watching it.

The documentary follows the life of Robert Durst, who is the son of the late Seymour Durst, one of New York's richest real estate investors and developers. For years Robert has been suspected of killing 3 people: His wife, his female friend, and his neighbor. However, he always managed to "walk between the drops without getting wet".

The film has tons of material, showing old footage, evidence, interviews with the people, reenactment of events, actual footage from court,and amazing of all - interviews and full cooperation from Robert Durst himself.

Each episode focuses mainly on one thing. Starting from episode 4 you'll be glued to your chair. Episode 5 is where the filmmakers themselves are getting into their own documentary and becoming a part of it. I don't want to "spoil" anything for you, but episode 6 is simply amazing. You can't invent stuff like that. The very last minute is simply something that is taken from the movies.

The Jinx is a great show. I am not American, and I had never heard about the case nor the Durst family before this show. Going in knowing nothing led to some of the revelations being really shocking. The fact that the show is so exciting is at least partly due to the case itself being absolutely bonkers on many levels.

But what makes it more exciting is the wealth of information, people and footage they got access to. You really felt that you were thrown into the middle of an investigation, and saw the case unraveling in front of you. And Robert Dust is a compelling figure. It's difficult to place him as either an eccentric evil genius, or a lucky loony. Probably he is somewhere in the middle. Some of the stuff he does seems more like a bumbling fool than an educated criminal, while other things seems really well thought out. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. His mannerisms and just his character in general is also perfect for a show like this. Because despite everything: He can be pretty funny.

So, as entertainment it was really good. That said: I did not like the reenactments. It felt cheap and out of place, and was not needed for the documentary. There were other parts that should have been left out as well, like when they start annoying a man working security in one of the Durst buildings.

But I guess one of the more important questions to ask yourself here is: should journalism go more in this direction? Because this was, have no doubt about it, made to entertain. Here's my initial thoughts: Except the literal victims here, there are no other victims of this show that I can think of. The friends and family of both victims and others involved seems to have gotten their say, or at least had the chance to. The producers did a really good job researching and investigating the case, and the presentation seems truthful enough. The focus on Robert never turns him entirely into a movie character. Througot the series you start to understand him more as a human being. Or at least the producers impression of him. For now I am in the position that journalism is probably going to go more in this direction, but it is a dangerous path, for it can very easily focus too much on the entertainment and to little on the responsibility of a journalist presenting a case.

This is a documentary which follows Andrew Jarecki, as he pulls together the story of Robert Durst, who is suspected of killing his wife along with two others.

Robert Durst is part of the Durst family, a prominent property investment force in New York. Andrew Jarecki interviews Robert Durst extensively, along with other key players. He and his team are party to the uncovering of new evidence for these old crimes.

Amazingly, the tension is built and sustained then built again and again - I am sure whether to congratulate Andrew Jarecki as incredibly lucky for the revelations he gets to reveal, or his mastery as a film maker.

I believe that this series is a rare combination of both.

Highly recommended.

This is one of those movies\docs, that you'll find yourself waiting and crying for more and more ...still, you'll have the chance to drown into six episodes of a pure crime and suspense gem. I am I fan of shows such as True Detective, Fargo, etc, but this one, you'll have to see with a different eye, the eye that allow you to see through the detectives, director and, the killers eye ! Something that I do believe was never done before and that's what keeps this show one (or a thousand)steps further.Every time i do the shows review is because i do believe some shows are more than just good or great, they are imperative to watch,because we cannot pass through life without paying attention to some things that are really worth to be noticed, a lot of rubbish is dumped on TV ,but a lot of art is also available , you just have to make a choice,and i really want you to chose this one here ;)