JUSTICE FOR NATALEE HOLLOWAY
US, 2011, 89 minutes, Colour.
Tracy Pollan, Stephen Amell, Scott Cohen, Amy Gumenick, Michael Beach, Grant Show.
Directed by Stephen Kay.
Tracy Pollan continues her overwrought performance as an overwrought character, Beth, the mother of Natalee Holloway who disappeared in Aruba in 2005. Beth continued her demands for justice, thwarted by the local police, relying on the FBI. The main suspect, Joran, is interrogated, has implicated his two friends who were released, changed his story which was seen in different flashbacks.
Time has passed, Beth is still intense, is now divorced from her husband, relies on her son.
An opportunity for her to go to Aruba where her daughter disappeared occurs, media helping and she giving interviews, and confronting Joran’s father.
The film focuses on Joran, his father’s reaction and cutting him off, Joran going to Thailand, becoming involved in sex slavery organisation, his needing money, approaching Beth. The FBI see it is an opportunity to get him on tape with his demands, the possibility finding out the truth or, otherwise, his going to prison for extortion. Beth relies on her lawyer for the meetings but she does not get the truth.
In the meantime, Joran goes to Peru, is involved with a local young woman, she finding out about him and he killing her in anger. While he escapes Peru, he is arrested, tried, receives a long prison sentence.
Beth goes to see him in prison, decides that she must make an emotional break and spurns him, saying she needs nothing from him.
The media continued interest in the case with a 2017 miniseries.
1. Audience knowledge of the case of Natalee Holloway and her disappearance? Audiences familiar with the first film, the situation, the disappearance, the characters, accusations, Natalee’s mother and her quest?
2. New information, especially about Beth and her search? Responses of Joran? His father and mother? The Aruba police? The closing of the case? Joran and his behaviour at home, going to Thailand, involved in sex slavery, going to Peru, the encounter with Stephanie, her death and his subsequent behaviour?
3. Alabama, the FBI offices, New York City? Sequences in Aruba? The story of Joran in Peru? The musical score?
4. Beth, the intense performance by Tracy Pollan, separation from her husband, her visits to him, her reliance on her son, his giving her the money? The response to Joran’s confession in Holland? Believing him or not? Going to Aruba, confronting his father? The discussions with the FBI in Alabama? Her intensity, accusing officials of not doing their job? Her campaign to protect women?
5. The portrait of Joran, age, playboy, relationship with his parents, the effect of the Natalee Holloway episode, his father covering, giving him money? His father breaking off? His father’s collapse and death? Joran and his inheritance? Discussions with his mother? His going to Thailand, the connections, with the women, American blondes, the local women, trying to arrange transport to London? Wanting money to finance this work? Contacting Beth?
6. Beth, issues of money, wanting confessions? Joran and his contact with Beth? Beth and her lawyers and the plans?
7. With the FBI, getting Joran to speak, Beth taping him, the setup for further recording? The lawyer and the meeting? Joran and his demands? The low bringing $10,000, Jordan walking out, the lawyer pursuing him, bringing him back, Beth wiring the further money?
8. Joran and his various stories, they’re being visualised in flashback? The story of Natalee, her collapse, hitting her head, bleeding?
9. Beth and her discussions with her husband, going to see him, his birthday, the loss of her daughter, of her marriage, her husband?
10. Joran, going to Peru, picking up the women, Stephanie, taking his card, her search on the Internet, his finding her, by that reaction, killing her? Checking out, the cover with the coffee, the deal, hiding in the truck, crossing the border? His being apprehended?
11. Trial, going to jail? Beth going to see him, her plea, his biding his time, saying he had to have time to think about his reply telling the truth? Using gambling as the excuse for all his behaviour? Her direct speaking to him, her accepting her loss, leaving him?
