Into the Fire: La fille perdue

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.

As the mother of a little girl I had such a hard time watching this story. It is completely captivating and Cathy is an incredible woman. It's rare that a true crime documentary grabs me in this way without leaving me sad and stressed. The way the story unfolded and the reveals felt natural and welcome, not overblown or manufactured. The story is just actually that shocking.

So many themes are present that are timely in today's world - the myth that all adoption stories are full of hope and positivity; the way women in abusive marriages are brainwashed to ignore, deny and defend the abuser's behaviour; how the policing and justice system fails missing, abused and murdered women every single day.

The 'reenactment' B-roll scenes were cheesy and unnecessary, and the format would have been better split into 4 shorter episodes, as the two halves both felt like they had natural split points. Otherwise, very successful. Highly recommend.

For those who lost a close family member under unacceptable circumstances this piece is extremely painful to watch. It's incredible how this predator has managed to survive all these years. DNA evidence was really a game changer for many cold cases but it's still hard to believe that no one ever suspected him. Kudos to Cathy for her strength and determination!!

And the wife... oh my goodness that woman is the textbook example of being delusional. You do not have to be the smartest but still have some kind of common sense, but this "lady" lacks almost all instincts and feelings a mother should have. I only can guess how healthy their biological child can be having these parents.

This gripping story has so many tragic twists and turns. It shows what can be achieved through sheer persistence and sharp intuition. Cathy is a mother on a mission to seek the truth and justice for her daughter. She is relentless, sharply intuitive and won't stop at any cost to get it. There are so many interesting themes this documentary explores; including loyalty, sacrifice and the strength of blood connection.

This story is so well told and captivating from the very beginning. I became so emotionally invested in Cathy's pursuit for justice and my heart goes out to her and the families of all victims. Must watch.

Stumbling upon this was enthralling. I had never heard of this story before, and I'm a true crime enthusiast. So I sat down and watched without looking the story up (what I would usually do) and was so disturbed by how warped and demented reality can be over any fiction you could come up with. You really at times don't want to accept the depravity and sheer evil that could be right next to any of us in any community. The fact that our system of adoption in this country and the vetting that goes into finally getting an approval along side the fact that the people who were responsible for the wellbeing of this child, from literal cradle to her grave failed her is beyond comprehension. This true crime piece is an uncomfortable yet excellently executed documentary and will probably live in my head for a while. Sadly...