American Manhunt: OJ Simpson
Credit: Special Arrangement
A certain generation of the audience has seen enough of
O J Simpson and the ‘Trial of the Century’ on their screens. Several documentaries and films have portrayed in excruciating detail the grisly murders, the arrest, the courtroom drama and the eventual acquittal of the American football star and ‘OG’ celebrity. One wonders what more is left to say.
However, this four-part docuseries that comes a year after OJ’s death last April, does manage to be gripping. Director Floyd Russ clearly intends to address a younger audience; the assumption being they are unaware why this trial held America by its neck and still does after 30 years. Purportedly objective, it presents ‘facts’, interviews with detectives who still seem to be playing the blame game, witnesses who were never questioned, fingerprints that weren’t examined and a murder weapon that wasn’t hunted for. All very sus, as Zoomers would exclaim.
While there is nothing new to unearth, the stylishly shot documentary provides an insider’s perspective. It throws the covers off the infighting and bungling within the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department). The trial, watched live by scores, and the subsequent shocking verdict of ‘not guilty’, sparked a debate in the US about institutional racism. The documentary contextualises this well.
Watch it if you have ever wondered what the fuss about OJ is all about and felt silly because you know zilch about him or the trial. Now you do.