Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a crime documentary about the 2001 murder of Andrew Bagby. It draws on interviews with friends, family members, and former colleagues about his life, with the focus on his alleged killer, ex-girlfriend Shirley Turner. It's very emotionally wrenching, due to the understandable sadness and anguish suffered by Bagby's friends and family. It contains profanity throughout (including "f--k") and a few gut-wrenching plot twists, one of which involves a heartbreaking tragedy related to a child. Though there's no graphic violent imagery, the documentary's filming style is intense and often replays emotions and new discoveries for particularly dramatic effect. It also intercuts the sound of gunshots with pictures of the deceased as a child or teenager. Best for mature teens and older, but likely to disturb anyone who watches it.

Sexual Content

An interview subject says Bagby's girlfriend used to describe sex between them in crass terms.

Violence

Spoiler alert: A murder by multiple gunshots is recounted in news clips, TV broadcasts, discussions, and indirect reenactments; a woman drowns a child and then herself.

Language

Multiple uses of "f--k"; also "hell," "s--t," "bitch," "a--hole," "Jesus Christ," "piss," and "goddamn."

Social Behavior

Testimony to the power of family, friendship, and loyalty in preserving someone's legacy; the power of persistence in righting wrongs or working to change the criminal justice system. Illustrates the need for greater victim advocacy, particularly for children.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Archival footage includes champagne at wedding; two men drink a beer to commemorate a friend; photo of woman who looks inebriated shown repeatedly.