Into the Fire: La figlia scomparsa

I am ADDICTED to true crime, like pretty much everyone, but this story is such a heartfelt one. It shows the incredible bond between a mother and daughter that only had 8 months in each other's lives before the daughter was given up for adoption. Cathy is such an amazing, hilarious, force to be reckoned with. She partners up with an "armchair" detective Carl who has helped solve a few unsolved murders with his extreme passion for justice and spreadsheets. It is truly God ordained that this story came together the way it did and as soon as you see all the circumstances that have to happen, you will know how true that is.

Good True Crime doc from Netflix, which unfortunately is far too rare and long in between something interesting and well produced.

Some creators would milk this story, and make it a drawn-out mess over 5 episodes, but this had a good, fast pace.

The information and how the story is built, keeps the viewer glued, and entertained, without too many repititions.

Next to nothing of mundane or irrevelant information also, or revelations that serves nothing of interest to the doc or story. Bravo!

However, my intentions were not to write a review, but an appeeciaton post. I just wanted to voice my greatfulness towards people like Carl Koppelman, whom I learned of watching this doc.

I really have the deepest respect for people dedicating their time, competency, emotions, grit and thoroughness towards helping others.

In his case also entirely non-profit, (even though he should allow donations, cause he really deserves so much for how many he have helped) which makes him so honorable in my book.

His only goal is to help, and solve, as many cases as he possibly can. Makes me really inspired, I am so happy coexisting with people this kind and dedicated to helping others.

Deserves a medal.

Cathy gave up a 10-month old daughter for adoption. What might have been a self-less act for the best for the child was a hole for Cathy. Years later she discovers the child she entrusted to others as a teen went missing with no resolution. Cathy embarks on a seemingly hopeless mission to find resolution in an extremely cold case. Cathy's drive and pain comes through as palpable. It goes into overdrive as Cathy learns more and more about the couple who adopted her child. Cathy, as if through some kind of power only a birth mother can have, knows in her heart who killed her missing child. This is her gut-wrenching story.

I have let little out of the so-called "bag" here. That would be a disservice to the excellent filmmakers here. They have done an amazing job of making what would be an old forgotten missing person's case into a dogged pursuit for closure and justice. Along the way they have captured the unique elements that only the long-game can reveal. Those elements, each of them, are often pain-infused, frustrating, and even highly unlikely to cohere into a kind of final resolution and justice. This is a harrowing ride, but one that due to some inexplicable mother's bond finally comes to a just end. I give the filmmakers the highest honor as to realistically documenting the journey of finally solving this missing child case.

After having to give up her daughter for adoption at a young age, Cathy receives a letter years later from The Adoption Agency, stating that Alexis, now Aundria is missing, Cathy makes it her mission to find out what happened.

This is one of the best documentaries I've seen for a while. First off, it is an incredibly shocking story, almost unimaginable, it's full of unbelievable twists and revelations.

I think I was most shocked by Dennis's interviews, absolutely unbelievable, what an absolute monster, he didn't accept any responsibility, nor show any signs of remorse.

Even though it's fairly long, at no point does it feel overly long or padded, the second episode in particular will just have you on tenterhooks.

Cathy must have gone so much, and she must have so many gaps, hopefully Aundria's friends can fill in the blanks for her.

I'm not sure if I'm more sickened by Dennis or Brenda, him for doing what he did, or her for sticking by him, what sort of person could?

The one question I am left with, just how many other victims of Dennis Bowman.

9/10.

This is how all documentaries should be. It's a story that appears to be more fiction than fact and at times I was literally gobsmacked at the revelations and the dedication of this mother to find out what happened to her daughter after she gave her up for asoption at the age of 9 months so she could give her better opportunities with the encouragement of her own mother. Cathy., the mother, is only 16 and the pressure applied was immense.

The twists and turns of the story starts when Cathy receives a letter from an Adoption Agency, outlining that her daughter went missing years and years before and requesting a DNA sample..

From then on Cathy goes on a relentless mission to find her daughter. Her courage and stamina is amazing.

At no point does this doc falter or swerve its focus. The uncovering of all that happened is complete dog work and my only curiosity lay in where Cathy's financial resources lay as she had to pay many of the investigators who did not come cheaply.

I won't lay down any spoilers as even the slightest one would reveal too much.

Suffice to say and with relentless police work on a "dead file" the shocking truth is revealed and justice, though far too late, prevails.

Gripping and well paced.

Hat tip to Neflix.

9/10

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