I Am Vanessa Guillen

This film had me in tears 5 min in and over and over again. One family, 1st generation really shows what it means to love, protect and care for each other against all odds.

The story deals with a lot of issues and it deals with them well, but this is about family and the Latino community uniting above all else. It made me proud. It made me sad. It made me want to make this country better just like the family in the film does.

This is also about a social movement that blew up online and if you go on twitter, this film is getting to people. I thought I was just feeling extra emotional but this film has people balling their eyes out.

It's also fast moving. Was never bored. Just overwhelmed with emotion.

What's particularly remarkable about this true-crime documentary is how it focuses more on the judicial aftermath of Vanessa's killing than the details of the crime itself. Here's a story where even the family of the deceased victim know very little about the whys, primarily due to its occurrence at Fort Hood, a US Army post, and the fact that military law is vastly different from civilian law. It is pretty easy to connect with the Guillens and the people who support them, and that isn't just because they're immigrants. It could be one of the reasons for sure, but there's still a lot to appreciate here - be it the plight of the younger sisters (especially Lupe, who's like a shining beacon of hope) or the mother who lost her daughter at such a young age, the lawyer Natalie Khawam who joins them in their fight for justice, and the folks who came out to support them in passing the bill for independent prosection of sexual assault cases in the military.

While the family's effort pays off to some extent (and it's depicted as a victory moment), the concerned folks remark that it is just a first step in many. Credit should go to the makers for not sensationalizing the details of the crime, and instead, pulling us into this emotional journey of a family that's fighting a relatively big fight. So, if you're looking for an investigative, details-driven true-crime piece, this might not entirely hold your interest. It definitely did hold mine (with slight pacing issues), as the story progressively moved into a more insightful, affecting space.

This doc shook me to the core. It was emotional and offers quite a refreshing point of view.

If you're expecting a traditional crime doc, then maybe not your cup of tea. If you are open to watching something more interesting then the same old formula of gore and exploitation, this breaks the mold.

This film gave me some hope, not only about democracy but humankind as well. A beautiful testament to a young woman, the legacy her family has built in her honor.

This felt intimate, thoughtfully crafted, sensitive and fair. The filmmakers handled this delicate story with gentle care and as a viewer, appreciated that. Imagine this was gut-wrenching to make.

I simply can't get this film out of my mind.

What I liked:

1. Dealt with issues that could easily be dry, boring and slow in a really compelling way issues like legislation.

2. Doesn't indulge in the gore of the crime in an insensitive way.

3. This is a story that is shocking, sad, hopeful and inspiring. It really captures all kinds of emotions.

4. Moves fast. It's clear. It's complex.

5. It makes you think about it afterwards. Sticks with you.

6. I like the music through most of the film and the song at the end with the singer.

What I wished it had:

1. Wrap up of the criminal's trial. I just looked it up and saw the trial got delayed and maybe Netflix didn't want to wait to see how that finishes out.

2. I liked this topic in a film form but also think there's a lot to it and could be a series. I thought the narrative was pretty solid, but wouldn't mind a follow up.

3. Archival heavy in some parts - guessing couldn't be avoided.

This documentary is really well done, not much "time wasting" with fillers or going over the same stuff again and again. It documents the tragic case of Vanessa Guillen, who was sexually harassed and murdered while ON DUTY at Ford Hood in Texas, and how the military immediately went into 'damage mode' by not investigating her disappearance, and by covering it up for 2 months. They should be ashamed that there is SO much sexual abuse and intimidation in the military, which either gets reported but no action taken, or else doesn't even get reported through fear or repercussions. God Bless Vanessa, her legacy lives on through her family's love and advocacy to make positive changes to help others.