THE LOST WIFE OF ROBERT DURST

US, 2017, 85 minutes, Colour.

Katharine Mc Phee, Daniel Gillies, John Glover, Martin Donovan, Ryan Robbins.

Directed by Yves Simoneau.

This film is based on a true story, information given at the end that the accusations against Robert Durst for the murder of his wife, Cathy, have not been substantiated in court. However, he was being held in remand, accused of the murder of his journalist friend, Susan Berman.

The story had been filmed previously is a fiction, All Good Things, with Ryan Gosling as the husband, Kirsten Dunst as the wife.

The film works in two-time spans for the first part, Robert Durst going to the police to inform them of the disappearance of his wife, the interrogations, the work of the police, especially the Detective played by Martin Donovan. There are many interviews but few leads. Throughout, then, there are flashbacks to the meeting between Robert and Cathy, their courtship, Robert’s wealthy background (and the domination of his father, played by John Glover), some rivalry with his brother, the opening of a shop in Vermont, his father’s demands that he come back to New York and work in real estate, his marriage to Cathy.

Daniel Gillies gives a striking performance as Robert Durst, appearance, hair cut, glasses, facial tics, style of walking, with the dogs (and their disappearances). The film then indicates the deterioration of the relationship between Robert and Cathy, some brutality on his part, her decision to study nursing, her graduation and his ungracious speech, intending further studies, her disappearance.

This means the film moves between 1971 and 1982 – and, after no conclusions, moving forward to 1999 when some further information comes to light and a Detective decides to open the cold case.

A short running time, but the screenplay is well-written and there is great deal of detail and impact even in very short sequences. Interesting – and, at the end, frustrating with no solution.

1. Based on a true story? Characters, situations, evidence, lies, cover-ups? Frustrated investigations? Opened up after 17 years? Continued investigations?
2. The title, more telling them the book title, A Deadly Secret?
3. The structure of the film, the focus on Robert, reporting his wife’s absence, the investigation? Continued flashbacks to the 1970s, the balancing of the flashbacks with the investigation? Moving forward to 1999? And continued flashbacks? And the sudden ending that the investigation was ongoing, Robert Durst and the murder of Susan Berman, as being held in prison?
4. The character Robert Durst, Daniel Gillies’ performance, the facial tics, eyes, manner of walking, of interviews? The later information about his psychological state? Possible schizophrenia? The changing appearance over the decade, age, haircut, tics, casual, businesslike, friendly, hostile, violent, creating scenes? The dogs, destruction, or called Igor? His treatment of Cathy, her family, his friend, Susan Berman, his brother, his father?
5. Cathy, the chance encounter with Robert, the attraction, dating, things in common, the dogs, the revelation about his family and wealth, the marriage, his father present? Wealth, luxury home, going to Vermont, happiness with the shop, her giving up her plans for Robert, moving back to the city? Her relationship with her family? The years passing, the change in treatment, her discovering photos, realisation of affairs, violence? The decision to study, her friends, the nursing, her graduation, Robert’s harsh congratulations speech? Studies, the plan for divorce, financial situation, the encounter with the doctor, the affair, his leaving for Denver? Her drinking? The promise to talk, for reconciliation, Robert going out? Her not being seen again?
6. The family, wealth, real estate, buildings, offices, the father and his superiority, domination of his sons, heredity, Douglas and his diligence, Robert and his resentment, his reaction to the inheritance, urine in the wastebasket? The background of the mother, suicide, the effect on Robert?
7. Susan Berman, the Mafia background, journalist, friends, confidante for Robert, asking for money for her project, his killing her?
8. Cathy, her friends in nursing training, the demands on the investigation?
9. Struk, personality, serious, reaction to Robert, searching for Cathy, interviews, the guard at the door and later revealed as lying, his associates, the demands of Robert and friends? Getting no further with the case? The detective consulting him in 1999?
10. 1999, the cold case, the investigator, the interrogations, going to the home, the news of Susan Berman’s death, the visit to the family, responsive brother, mother?
11. The body never found? The case not legally resolved?