abz638
I thought the movie about Natalee Holloway's disappearance was very well constructed. I believe that her story should be told in order to raise awareness for teens traveling abroad reminding them to never separate from their friends or family or leave their drink unattended. This movie serves as a very good lesson for teenage girls. The disappearance of Natalee was very accurately portrayed. I read several news articles regarding her disappearance and I think the movie adheres to the facts found in newspapers and magazines. I don't think the movie attacked Aruba in any way. The police and investigators in Aruba were seen working with van der Sloot suggesting that their police may be somewhat corrupt. Van der Sloot comes from a wealthy family (as portrayed in the film) and many times money drives investigations and news, thus I believe this portrayal is accurate. I don't think the movie was biased in any way. The movie showed how Beth Twitty was frustrated with the lack of concern for her missing daughter so she took the investigation into her own hands. I do not blame Twitty for doing so. I am not a mother but if my brother or someone close to me went missing I would do anything in my power even if the Aruba government and people did not agree with me.Overall I think the movie was excellent and every girl should see this film in order to enhance their awareness while traveling abroad as well as going out with friends close to home.
phd_travel
This is engrossing. So many twists and turns happened in the Natalee case with arrests and releases etc that it's hard to remember what happened. But this TV movie does a good job in showing what happened in fact and then a few alternate scenarios for her disappearance.Of course now that Joran has been arrested for another murder we may finally know what happened but for the story till then - this is a good introduction.Tracy is good as Beth. She could be annoyingly over dramatic but she isn't. The guy who plays Joran is good too.It's a good warning for teens venturing abroad - Europe / Mexico etc just to make sure they don't trust strangers and have a plan to go home. Get your teen to watch this. Even the most sensible girl can make a mistake.
clndgd
What an ironic movie. This Natalee Holloway story is just another girl disappearing on a holiday. I never got why everybody was making such a big deal out of it. Why is this case so special? Because really girls disappear everyday and i'm also horrified by it but making a movie about this case is just fishing for money over the heads of unfortunate people.The thing i'm most discussed about is that this movie gives a wrong image about Aruba. Stereotyping the Aruban people in this movie is just unfair. They are portrayed as wrong and bad people and that no one should ever go to the island. The police is being called corrupt and imaged as bandits. Its often said in the movie that ''they'' just don't care and are not trying there best to find Natalee. Quite ironic though, i wonder how many little girls get abused and murdered in the states everyday. Not to talk about teenagers from the states going to Mexico. I'd like to see some movies of those cases.Really this movie doesn't even deserve one star, because the acting and writing are also horrible. Its just a cheap flick made by gold-diggers that try to get more money over the death of an innocent girl, well personally i think it's sick. There's not a lesson to be learned from this movie so i suggest not to even bother.1/10
MarieGabrielle
While the performances are predictable and the story, well, we can see the same theme on "Nancy Grace"/HLN News every evening, it is important for teens and people traveling to small countries to be aware of the facts presented in this film.Tracy Pollan is believable as Natalee Holloway's mother, a woman who is enraged and galvanized into action when she realizes the death of her daughter was covered up, the perpetrators protected. While certainly this is an upsetting situation, the victim herself was caught in a situation, not realizing the possible outcome.I would suggest that schools promoting such trips be required to provide more guidelines, partying and having fun is all well and good, but when you are in a foreign country, especially if a female,and alone, you need to know how to protect yourself. Teens who have never traveled can scarcely be expected to safeguard against things they have never been made aware of.The reality is that there is no such thing as international law. I was told this in Acapulco, after being injured in a hotel, the hotel paid the medical expenses, but the fact is that, if you are traveling to other countries you need to be aware of their laws. You must be aware of how to protect yourself, and please don't expect the American Embassy to help (See the films "Red Corner" with Richard Gere, and "Midnight Express" with Brad Davis).Worth seeing for the message. Recommended. 7/10.
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