NATALEE HOLLOWAY
US, 2009, 96 minutes, Colour.
Tracy Pollan, Grant Show, Amy Gumenick, Jacques Strydom, Clayton Evertson.
Directed by Mikael Salomon.
This film for television is based on actual events. It is also based on a book written by Natalee Holloway’s mother, Beth.
In many ways the story is a familiar one, the 18-year-old graduate going with friends to celebrate in Aruba, enjoying the time away from home, her being cautious, especially with the advice of her mother. However, she is slipped a drug, letting down her guard, goes off with the young man who turns out to be the son of a wealthy man on the island. She is not seen again.
The film focuses on Beth, with an overwrought performance by Tracy Pollan of a woman in an overwrought situation. She is aggressively American, not taking into account the customs of different cultures, so aggressive talk to the police, demanding answers, kept waiting. She is exploited by the media which she eagerly embraces. And she receives some help from local Americans.
The young man and his associates are arrested, interrogated, give conflicting reports – and these are dramatised in flashbacks. Ultimately, some years later, the young man gives an interview to a journalist who is undercover and describes what probably happened – at least Beth believing him.
There is a sequel to this film, Justice for Natalee Holloway, also starring Tracy Pollan. When the young man is arrested for murder, investigations continue.
1. Based on a true story? On the book by the mother of Natalee Holloway?
2. The setting up of the situation, home, graduation, friends, going on holidays, Aruba, teenagers partying, away from home, issues of drink, boys, caution? Natalee’s mother cautioning her?
3. Natalee, at the bar, the last night, the attraction to Joran? His being a student? His slipping her the drug? The effect on her, dancing, going in the car, the friends concerned, on the beach? The disappearance?
4. The character of Beth, intense, love for her daughter, protective? Her second husband? Her first husband, Natalee’s father? Her son at home? Receiving the news? Upset, panic, going to Aruba? Having finance available?
5. The local authorities, the police, seeming lack of interest? The couple left waiting? Getting impatient? Local help, American consulate, media personalities? Beth aggressive towards the media woman exploiting her?
6. Beth, the intensity, growing impatience, making demands? Very American, not taking account of local customs and styles? Aggression towards the police? Going on the media, at every opportunity? The reaction of her husband? Natalee’s father arriving, more laid-back?
7. Time passing, no information? Joran and his friends being interrogated, his wealthy father? His friends? Supporting each other, bravado and sex talk, the contrasting testimonies?
8. The flashbacks, the possibilities of what happened, Natalee in the car, her behaviour, on the beach? Her being left? The friends coming to pick up J’soran? Their being freed? Beth going to the shop, the confrontation, the man taking out a restraining order?
9. The frustration, the years passing, the returning home? Beth’s father giving up?
10. Holland, Joran, the setup, the drug connection, the journalist undercover, the trip, Joran telling this story, Natalee having the seizure, the friend taking her body on the boat out to sea? Beth believing that this was the truth?
11. The unresolved case – in the film sequel with Joran committing another murder…?
