A Murder in Mansfield

This film caught my eye having lived in a community adjacent to Mansfield and also having gotten caught up in other series like "Making a Murderer," that for me were fascinating exposés of our legal system. This film is not in that category, but more of a trip down memory lane for the young boy, Collier, 20+ years after his mother was murdered.

I stopped watching about 30 minutes into the documentary because it failed to indicate there were any curious aspects of the actual crime or legal trial. Rather the focus was on Collier both as a 12 year old when his mother was murdered (through video testimony at trial) and as an adult trying to reconnect with various adults involved in his and his mothers social sphere before and after the murder.

The only aspect that I found remotely interesting was that 12 year old Collier was unusually very adult like as a 12 year old, possibly due to his somewhat unique relationship with his mother and what were clearly unusual circumstances growing up in that household. That said, it was not enough to hold my interest and I didn't get the sense there would be any surprising developments as the story progressed, so I felt no compulsion to go further.

We began watching this movie thinking it would focus more on the crime and murder of Noreen Boyle... but all it did was focus on her son's journey back home while he awkwardly meets back up with all of his old friends and family from his childhood. Every interaction felt awkward and unwanted. I wish the filmmakers focused more on the actual crime and murder rather than just filming this guy's inner monologues and boring journey...

The only interesting part of this film was the archived footage of the 12 boy... He was so adult-like, flamboyant, and overly dramatic! Wish we saw more of that person and his journey through this situation rather than his modern day journey.

This was a deeply impactful story. Collier was impressive at 12 and at 37. A heartfelt tale of grief and parental dissociation and angst and grief and recovery and triumph. Only meaningful to anyone who has family.