Before You Go: A Daughter's Diary

At the age of three, Nicole Betancourt picked up her first Super-8 camera and began filming her parents. Years later, she continued by recounting the story of her father Jeff's battle with AIDS and the effects his illness had on those closest to him. Having all that previously-recorded home video proved a tremendous advantage: it adds interest and professionalism that other documentaries of this type sometimes lack. In view of this video's sensitive, well-produced style, I wish I had liked it just a little bit more. It was on HBO, after all, and was accompanied by a small notebook of glowing reviews, many of which contained phrases like "moving testament," "intensely emotional," and "touching portrait of compassion." However, many of these reviews also mentioned what a tough interview Betancourt's father was, at least at first: reluctant to be filmed at all, let alone discuss the details of his personal life and illness. Also bothersome were Betancourt's time-shifts. Rather than presenting a straight chronology, she jumbles events. For example, a scene in which she states, "Grandma and I don't know what to do with Dad's ashes," is followed by a scene in which she is talking about his lack of appetite. Despite its sympathetic treatment of a difficult topic, this video is really an optional purchase. Aud: J, H, P. (K. Glaser)