Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (2008)
83%RT Audience Score:
Awards & Nominations: Won 2 Primetime Emmys
5 wins & 13 nominations total
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired is a fascinating exploration of the intersection between celebrity, media, and the legal system. While some may argue that the film lacks new insight into the heinous crime committed by Polanski, it is a judiciously argued account that puts his actions in the context of a turbulent life. Director Marina Zenovich skillfully chronicles the case and raises important questions about the fairness of justice in the United States. The film’s verdict may be controversial, but it is a must-see for anyone interested in Hollywood’s cultural chronicle. Plus, who doesn’t love a good scandal?
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired is a documentary that explores the infamous case of the film director who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old. While the film doesn’t offer any new insight into the heinous crime, it does shed light on the California legal system and how it can be influenced by celebrity and media pressure. But let’s be real, we’re all just here to see if Snow White or Peter Pan had a bigger impact on Polanski’s life.
Production Company(ies)
Walter Shenson Films, Proscenium Films,
Distributor
ThinkFilm
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Unrated
Year of Release
2008
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
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Runtime:1h 40m
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Language(s):English, French, German
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 11, 2008 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 27, 2009
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, Roman Polanski, sexual misconduct, Marina Zenovich, Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte, Lila Yacoub, P.G Morgan, Joe Bini, box office, ThinkFilm, MPAA rating, critic reviews, producer, director, writer, celebrity, responsibility, Hollywood, France, Sharon Tate, Holocaust, court case, corruption, judge, media, victim, prosecutor, interviews, archival footage, movie scenes, Andrew Braunsberg, Samantha Geimer, Mia Farrow, Gene Gutowski, Hawk Koch, Hanna Landy
Worldwide gross: $100,458
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $138,377
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,987
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 15,090
US/Canada gross: $59,192
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $81,535
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,686
US/Canada opening weekend: $4,613
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $6,354
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,782
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Samantha Geimer – self
Mia Farrow – self
Gene Gutowski – self
Hawk Koch – self
Hanna Landy – self
Marina Zenovich – director, writer, producer
Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte – producer
Lila Yacoub – producer
P.G. Morgan – writer, producer
Joe Bini – writer
Director(s)
Marina Zenovich
Writer(s)
Joe Bini, P.G. Morgan, Marina Zenovich
Producer(s)
Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte, Lila Yacoub, Marina Zenovich, P.G. Morgan
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 2 Primetime Emmys
5 wins & 13 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (48) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (7)
He claims here to have been influenced early on by Snow White. I should have thought Peter Pan instead.
January 5, 2018
John Leonard
New York Magazine/Vulture
TOP CRITIC
November 18, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Ben Kenigsberg
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
November 17, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Some might confuse Zenovich’s indictment on the judge as a cop-out in judging Polanski. But the facts remain. There’s no further insight into the heinous crime. Nor is there a new judgment to be passed on the man who committed it. Anyone looking for new r
October 1, 2009 | Rating: 78/100
Radheyan Simonpillai
AskMen.com
TOP CRITIC
Though Marina Zenovich’s film deals with the notorious case of the film director who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old, the film’s real subject is the California legal system turned upside down by celebrity and media pressure.
July 25, 2008 | Rating: 3/4
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
With a subject like Roman Polanski, you don’t really need to do much to capture audience interest. But maybe that’s the reason Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired doesn’t live up to its promise.
July 25, 2008 | Rating: 2/4
David Wiegand
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
If you’re not a diehard fan of Polanski I can’t see the pic holding your attention, as it lacks intrigue.
November 17, 2013 | Rating: C+
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
“Zenovich’s film is a fair and skillful chronicling of the Roman Polanski case, and a study of how the circumstances of celebrity influence the carrying out of justice in the U.S. It’s not an in-depth study of the filmmaker’s psychology nor of how his lif
September 30, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Jennifer Merin
About.com
The film’s verdict is that Polanski is too distinguished to persecute by placing him in a prison among, well, criminals. Wanted And Desired: A premeditated act of propaganda in the service of exoneration with a creative genius defense, instead of remorse.
September 27, 2009
Prairie Miller
NewsBlaze
A judiciously argued account with intriguing asides
August 26, 2009
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion
While not apologising for his disgusting behaviour, the film puts Polanski’s actions in the context of a turbulent life.
June 19, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Nick Dent
Time Out Sydney
an essential entry in Hollywood’s cultural chronicle
May 8, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/4
Jay Antani
Cinema Writer…
Plot
In 1977, Roman Polanski was arrested in Los Angeles on charges he gave drugs and had sex with a 13-year-old girl he was photographing for Vogue. Eleven months later, having pled guilty to one count, he fled to Europe before sentencing. This film examines that year-long period, using archival footage of the media frenzy and of Polanski’s life before the charges, clips from his films, and contemporary interviews with many of the principles – attorneys, the victim, and Polanski’s friends and associates. Polanski remains enigmatic, but portraits emerge of the machinations of justice and of a judge more interested in his image than his word or the law.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary features interviews with Roman Polanski’s friends, including Mia Farrow and Andrew Braunsberg.
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