While the filming may be amateurish, it actually works in the documentary's favor - giving it an immersive feel that bodes well with its theme of the chaos and confusion many families and investigators experience. The editing also favors ambiguity in the storytelling, occasionally leaving the audience as confused as the actual subjects - but again this is a feature, not a big. Many documentaries feel too polished, like the filmmaker is only allowing the viewer into a pre-determined path and conclusion. The director (Fontana) does not treat her audience like children in need of guidance, but rather gives them what she sees and allows them to come to their own conclusions. It feels more like you're part of the investigation rather than along for the ride. This may make for a bumpier ride, but it allows the audience to see and feel more what it's like to be involved in a missing persons investigation by leaving in raw material polished documentaries would have cut.
Some of the reviewers giving this 1 star seem to not understand the point of leaving some of this raw material in (such as sources that may not be trustworthy). Fake witnesses crawling out of the woodwork for either attention or money is something that families and investigators actually have to deal with, but mostly get left out of final cuts. The point of this documentary is to show the gritty and confusing aspects of solving a case. If you're the type of person who needs your hand held and to be told exactly what to think (like some of the negative reviewers), this won't be for you. If, however, you like to piece things together yourself and are ok with ambiguity, you'll love this.
