The story of Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, and the 2011 Penn State football child sex abuse. The story that will shake you up, whether you're a parent or not, and make you even more vigilant about children's extra-curricular activities. Deservedly, the film initially focuses on whether Paterno, the small town's father figure, fulfilled his moral obligation towards Sandusky's crimes, after fulfilling his legal obligation of reporting it. But then the last third fizzles out on the crucial question of doing the right thing, even at the cost of the entire society's collapse. This could have been a very good discussion.
PS: HBO has been planning on dramatizing the story into a film, with Brian DePalma as director and Al Pacino in the lead as Paterno. Imagine the prospects.
Mo says:
This was pretty shocking but I can't get over the way that history is being rewritten because of the heinous crimes. I'm not a sports fan but I don't understand why removing the teams wins under Paterno helps anyone. And removing his statue?
ReplyDeleteThe same thing happens in the UK. A few years ago a massive personality was found to have been the most prolific child abuser in our history. He was already dead when it all came to light but it turned out that much of his abuse had been covered up by the establishment for decades. Jimmy Savile was his name and his crimes chill the blood. He was a household name but now he has been removed from the media as if he was never even famous.
I guess the philosophy was that since Paterno built all those victories by not doing enough about Sandusky's crimes, they concluded that if he had done more to expose Sandusky, he would never have become so successful, as the entire community and everyboyd's faith in him would have collapsed. His silence was the key to his success. So his wins were taken away as a lesson for others. who plan on build a career based on keeping things hush hush. Or at least that was my understanding.
DeleteYes, I can see the reasoning, I just don't agree with it.
ReplyDelete