Natalee Holloway

This film is engrossing. The acting, direction and screenplay is superb, and it deserves to be seen and it gets a high vote from me.

Natalee Holloway disappeared on May 30, 2005, during a high school graduation trip to Aruba, a Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.Apparently the last time any of her high school graduates saw her, was after leaving a club in Aruba in the company of 3 local males. All the actors give convincing and compelling performances especially the actress playing Natalee's mother.

The Aruba police investigated the case and that investigation was poor and likely corrupt and poisoned by local cronyism if not worse. It is a fact that the aforementioned males in the case lied about what happened, but none ever confessed in an admissable way outright criminality sufficient for a trial to take place.

The case attracted an international media frenzy, and in my view the media are responsible for hindering rather then helping the investigation with misplaced under cover attempts at detective work etc.

The actual mother of Natalee wrote the book from which this story comes, but whilst that gave me some concern about the reliability and authenticity of this movie, the basic facts as to what happened are portrayed properly in my opinion. Natalee was a first class person and had a bright future. OK so what that whilst on holiday Natalee was perhaps drunk a lot, and misbehaving as only teenagers can, and I am not surprised that the effect of her disappearance caused the mother to behave in the way she did.

The fact remains that the last people to see Natalee alive were the 3 males, who gave conflicting accounts of what happened. In that situation what inference do you draw? Whatever these males said about what happened has to be totally discounted unless corroborated by independent evidence. Therefore it begs the question: What reliable 'evidence' is there to say what truly happened?

Top notch drama, hence:

8/10

Natalee Holloway (2009)

** (out of 4)

Lifetime Movie Network produced TV movie tells the story of Beth Twitty (Tracy Pollan) who headed to Aruba after her 18-year-old daughter Natalee went there for a trip and turned up missing. The prime suspect was a local named Joran Van Der Sloot but his changing stories and possible cover ups by the police leaves this case unsolved. I admit to being one of those who heard about this case early on and followed most of it so I really didn't learn anything new by this movie. If you're familiar with the case then this movie isn't going to teach you anything and if you haven't heard of the case then I doubt the movie is going to tell you enough to get a full view of the case. There were many different stories told by the suspects and a couple of them are looked at here but in the end the movie just isn't strong enough to work. I found Pollan to go over the top way too many times and at points in the film she'd become quite annoying. The big prayer sequence was so over acted that I wanted to look away. Some could call this TV acting, which to me is unfair to say but I wasn't impressed. The direction is decent but the screenplay could have used some work. The film tries to tell a big message of being careful when you're overseas but I think it overlooks the biggest flaw in the real story and that's 18-year-old girls shouldn't be given the keys to run wild in a foreign place and getting drunk. The drinking issue is the real message that should have been given off because sadly, this isn't the first girl to get drunk and have something bad happen to her by the hands of a guy.

Natalee Holloway is a gripping and emotionally charged true-crime dramatization that delves deeply into the tragic disappearance of a young woman during a high school graduation trip. The film succeeds in blending suspense with heartfelt storytelling, portraying the devastating impact of Natalee's vanishing on her family and friends. From the opening scenes, viewers are immediately drawn into the tension and uncertainty surrounding the investigation, which is presented with a mix of urgency and authenticity that keeps the audience engaged throughout.

The performances are one of the film's strongest aspects. The actress portraying Natalee delivers a tender and believable performance, while the actors playing her parents bring genuine depth and emotional weight to the narrative. Their determination, grief, and hope are conveyed with subtlety, making the family's struggle the emotional core of the film. Supporting roles, including law enforcement and investigators, also provide grounded performances that lend credibility to the story, even when the narrative shifts between suspenseful investigative sequences and intimate family moments.

The screenplay, though imperfect, largely succeeds in structuring the story to maintain tension while exploring character motivations. While some moments feel rushed or lack nuanced dialogue, the overall arc remains coherent and compelling. The film carefully balances the procedural aspects of the investigation with the human drama of loss and perseverance, preventing it from slipping into sensationalism, a common pitfall for true-crime adaptations.

Direction plays a key role in maintaining the film's gripping tone. Pacing is generally strong, with well-timed suspenseful beats and quiet, reflective moments that allow the audience to absorb the emotional gravity of the situation. Scenes are carefully framed to emphasize both isolation and urgency, particularly in sequences depicting the investigation abroad. These directorial choices enhance the film's tension and keep viewers invested in both the procedural and personal sides of the story.

The film's greatest achievement is how it honors Natalee Holloway herself. By emphasizing her family's relentless pursuit of the truth and the challenges they faced in the investigation, the film gives weight to the emotional and procedural reality of the case. The narrative highlights systemic obstacles, the impact of international legal complexities, and the persistence required to pursue justice, all while keeping the story anchored in the human experience of grief, hope, and determination.

Ultimately, Natalee Holloway is a powerful and engaging true-crime film that offers more than just a recounting of events. It presents a carefully crafted story filled with tension, emotional resonance, and strong performances. While minor flaws in the screenplay and pacing exist, they do not diminish the overall impact. The film stands as a respectful and compelling portrayal of a tragic case, making it a must-watch for those interested in well-executed true-crime storytelling.

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

The true story of Alabama teenager Natalie Halloway, who went missing while on a class trip in Aruba in 2005 and the subsequent desperate search by her mother (Tracy Pollen) for the truth behind her disappearance.

This is another one of those ripped from the headlines, made for TV dramatizations, that I tend to watch when I don't feel like thinking too hard. This one was just okay. I found Tracy Pollen's character to be very annoying and then I realized that was how she was supposed to be as the mother.

An interesting story that is made even more so because at the end you are left with more questions than answers. The mystery remains unsolved even with a video confession. I did find myself annoyed by the constant "if this was America" preaching. You're not in America and things are done differently in other countries. 08.13