We all remember his rise and fall; how could you or not? Orenthal James Simpson, the man who went from American football hero and Hollywood star to accused (later acquitted) murderer and, finally, convicted burglar. This fall from grace also revealed to the world an America still deeply divided among racial lines. The Oscar-winning 2016 ESPN Films documentary O.J.: Made in America, released theatrically and in five parts on TV, covers everything and withholds nothing.
At over seven hours in length and with a gruesomely detailed visual exploration of the murder scene, this is certainly a demanding watch, but despite knowing the conclusion from the start, my stomach was in a permanent knot and I couldn't look away. Director Ezra Edelman tells the story chronologically and with extensive use of archival footage, but his eye for and commitment to detail are just too lucid and appropriate, respectively, to not become utterly engrossing. Even more powerful and emotional are the interviews from many key players, including prosecutor Marcia Clark, Simpson's former friend and filmmaker Peter Hyams and of course members of the Brown and Goldman families, who all deserve praise for their participation.
Despite its title, O.J.: Made in America ultimately becomes as much about modern American culture and history as about Simpson himself, and it attempts to get us under his skin without ever defending his crimes. It stands as a courageous, objective, non-partisan, definitely unflinching and thoroughly riveting peek inside the ultimate Icarus fall of our time, and its aftermath.
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