Crime After Crime is the 2011 documentary that is now owned by the Oprah Winfrey Network. It’s about a domestic violence victim named Debbie Peagler. The film has gone on to win many awards.
Debbie was once in love with a man named Oliver. At first, he was very good to her and her daughter. Eventually, Oliver began abusing Debbie and forced her into prostitution. One day, Debbie became pregnant with Oliver’s baby. He eased up on the abuse but started back up again after Debbie had their daughter. He eventually started molesting Debbie’s daughters. Debbie began to fear for her life and the life of her kids and had Oliver killed. She was then sent to prison for a sentence of twenty-five years to life. This movie is her story about her and how two wonderful lawyers, Nadia Costa and Joshua Safran, sought to get her out after over twenty years of her sentence.
Let me tell you, I’ve reviewed a lot of movies here on Hollywood Jesus, but this one was the hardest for me to watch and then review. Mostly because I lost a dear friend to domestic violence. The details are too painful to talk about and out of respect for her family I’ll leave it at that, but I will say that there were many times that I wanted to stop the movie.
But I didn’t.
This is an important film to see. I recommend it for both genders ages seventeen and up. At times the movie gets painful, but like her attorney Joshua Safran says in the film, “God works in mysterious ways.” You’ll always see how beautifully a Christian woman (Debbie) and a Jewish man (Joshua) get along. Although faith isn’t talked about throughout the movie, you can see that they’re both religious and it’s a wonderful thing to watch.
I’m not saying that Debbie didn’t commit a crime, and they point that out in the movie. The thing is, her sentence should have been six years under California law, not twenty-five to life. Joshua called the whole process a crime after crime. (Which is probably where the movie title came from.)
Remember, no one deserves abuse. Everyone deserves love. Not only am I grateful to our Heavenly Father for His unconditional love, but to my family and wonderful husband as well. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for… and as long as I breathe, I’ll remember that.
Much love to you all!
April 24th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Thanks for your review and for sharing this film with the faith community. We would love for more churches and synagogues to show the film, and to get involved in helping to prevent domestic violence and wrongful incarceration.
Sincerely,
Yoav Potash
Filmmaker
CRIME AFTER CRIME