Anatomy of a Hate Crime (2001 TV Movie) User Reviews

"Don't forget me"

[mermatt · 10 January 2001]

"Don't forget me" is the message of this film about the American tragedy of bigotry and violence.

Matthew Shepard is pictured as a lonely, scared boy trying to connect with people despite his feelings of isolation caused by his homosexuality and HIV status. He hides himself in anti-depressants and alcohol. His attackers are pictured as two lonely, crude, unfocused boys who hide in drugs and macho swagger. Because of his loneliness, Matthew walks right into a deathtrap.

The film uses an unusual method of having Matthew narrate the story of his death after he died. The bittersweet tag line "Don't forget me" is a plea to sanity. The fact that MTV broadcast this film as part of a year-long program to get young people more aware of their own rights and the right of others seems to me to be one of the many good things that has come from the tragedy of Matthew Shepard's death.

touching

[darkangelvamp666 · 10/10 · 27 April 2005]

This movie was not only touching but it was a big dose of reality for most people. Most people wouldn't think that anything like that could ever really happen...It also shows people to be careful even though you are the nicest guy(girl) in the world there are still deceitful people in this world who will back stab your trust,No matter how nice to them you are. This movie also teaches us its OK to be who you are,Don't hide based on other peoples opinions.Before I saw this movie I never noticed the discrimination towards a few friends of mine who happen to be gay..and afterwards in oticed that other people are quick to judge and act differently around them. I've laerned not to judge and not to be one of those people.

Australia ([e-mail])

[jennersfamily-950-399980 · 9/10 · 14 January 2011]

I seen this movie in 2001 and its the most realistic view on Matthew Shepard that I've ever seen. I highly recommend anyone who is interested in Matthew Shepard's crime to watch this film. The other movies i have seen are Laramie Project, The Matthew Shepard Story, Laramie inside. Has anyone in their possession got Anatomy of a hate crime? I have been after owning this film for many years and would be grateful for anyone who would contact us if you do own this movie. Thankyou. I rate this film a 9 and not a 10 only because it doesn't seem to have been released on DVD/VHS which makes it hard for a fan to own this movie. Jenners

The story of the Matthew Shepard tragedy deserves better than this

[DeathByTelevision · 1/10 · 3 August 2006]

I was in college in Laramie, Wyoming, at the time of the Matthew Shepard tragedy, and will always be ashamed that such a crime could have taken place in my community. With that said, this movie gets it all wrong. They went for easy plot devices, the furthering of stereotypes (which shouldn't be Matthew's legacy), and a misrepresentation of the community. The sad part is that with a little work, they could have made a film that sent a lasting message. Instead they made a movie that portrayed a town full of simple minded rednecks who somehow have Southern accents, a police force consisting of a Barney Fife cop, and a total reinvention of certain parts of the story. Being that the idiots that murdered Matthew came from Laramie, examining the responsibility of the community is fair, but this isn't examination. This is lazy story telling that MTV unfortunately passed off as an educational film (They used to show it late at night without commercials as part of their Cable in the Classroom series so educators could tape it). If you want to see the definitive movie (or play) on the Matthew Shepard tragedy, see The Laramie Project. That movie doesn't let anyone off the hook. It doesn't look for easy answers, and it gives the subject matter the true examination it deserves.

A sensitive depiction of the life and death of a sensitive young man

[BarefootBoy · 10/10 · 10 January 2001]

Cy Carter, in his portrayal of Matthew Shepard, brought to the screen a layered portrayal of a sensitive, intelligent and conflicted young man. But this film doesn't demonize his killers... they are also shown as multifaceted human beings. MTV should be commended for bringing this story to the screen. It's about time that people understood that discrimination of any type is the antithesis of the American Dream. We shouldn't need `hate crime' legislation to control our interactions. Being of a different race or sexual preference doesn't really make one a lesser person, and it's about time that people woke up and realized that one should not judge another by any superficial differences. This film rates a 10 out of 10 on the `jay'meter (with apologies to Corky for the format).

Deserving Much More

[alveyblue · 2/10 · 13 January 2001]

Usually when movies are filmed based on true stories, I tend to find out something about what happened before seeing the movie. I was very aware of the Matthew Shepard tragedy from classes at school and TV reports. As well I think there are a few stories that shouldn't be made into movies unless they are handled well. Such as the Oklahoma City Bombing or the Matthew Shepard tragedy. When I heard of this movie and how it connected with the stand up against discrimination campaign I thought it would stand a fair chance and rise above common TV movie meandering. At times it did. But for the most part I was sadly disappointed. On a purely techinical level the filming was not engaging. Few shots really brought the movie alive and MTV has a way of lighting there movies that always look like an episode of TRL. The script itself was not very strong. In fact the most emotionally moving moments of the movie were clips from live news reels and candle light vigils. The attackers were lives were shown as well as Matthew's but all of the attackers dialogue was forced and poorly written. One shot of the movie does stand out. Anyone who was aware of the tragedy is familiar with the one profile picture of Matthew Shepard. While Matthew (Cy Carter) lies in the hospital waiting to die a friend says she will bring a picture to attach to a story being written, so people will know who he is. The picture is that profile. I felt a chill at that moment. Other than that...the acting was weak. Cy Carter met the physical description of Shepard and at moments captured his heart but still left me wanting more. As the attackers, neither actor really brought a fleshed out character. The strongest actor in the movie was the young woman playing Chassity. She really brought out another level to her paper thin character. In one scene her mother is accused of being a lesbian. Chassity says she has no problems with gay people and even works on the gay student union, but when her mother is attacked a side of Chassity comes out. It's okay for anyone else to be gay...but not her mother. It really shows how sometimes people can feel one way but still be conflicted. All in all...this movie leaves the viewer wanting. This tragedy, if it was to be made into a movie at all, and I wish it hadn't...deserved a much better representation than this. Yet still, the message gets through and the important facts of the trial and ensuing panic were represented well. While you feel little for the characters, you understand the effect this had on their lives and of the lives of all americans.

Anatomy of laramie?

[colburr · 16 January 2001]

Where oh where has the Laramie of my college career gone to? Apparently, things have changed in Laramie since I graduated UW last year. There is a gay student union, a large glass student union, statues and art I have never seen, teachers and classroom buildings I have never seen...oh and a bar called the Double D...at least this is what MTV wants me to believe. Oh and how can I forget that everyone in laramie is prejudist, racist and wears cowboy clothes. Everyone down from the lawyers to the limo driver were wearing cowboy hats. I think that the way MTV portrayed Wyoming as a backward state full of cowboys and cowboy emblems is a hate crime. If every other line in the movie wasn't about fearing Wyoming then I wouldn't know what do with myself.

MTV really went out of their way to research the movie before making it. Shepard was a political science major, not an art history major...was that a gay stereotype MTV? Diminishing his major means diminishing the fact that Matt wanted to use the major to pass legislation for gay awareness. The double D? He was taken out of a bar called the Fireside...a very uncowboy place. MTV has over made Laramie into "The Real World" as they do everything, they of course are so hip and still in touch with the teens of today, that they can feed anything to the young Britneys and Timberlakes of the world and call it golden. That is the trouble, they are respected as a place where teens get info, now what do the teens think of Wyoming, of Shepard, of Russ and Aaron. MTV seems to say that the society Aaron and Russ lived in caused them to murder, the society being Wyoming...because hate crimes couldn't happen in forward thinking cosmopolitan towns like New York City. They are too advanced...fear Wyoming and its evil, open space ways!!! That was the problem all through this ordeal that the Shepards, and the students of UW faced.No one gave the people any credit. Where was MTV in '98 to film the peace vigils and the non-violence speeches in Laramie after the murder. There was no violence in Laramie, there were no riots...at the end of this film MTV doesn't explain how the students came together to dialog..instead they throw up footage of when the Rev. Phelp's group came to Laramie for a DAY!!!. I am tired of being painted as backwoods just cause I'm from Wyoming. It can happen anywhere!!!! Wake up!!! Matt Shepard's death was a terrible tragedy that hurt alot of people, and gives nightmares to those who survived its wake. Matt Shepard as a person doesn't deserve to be immortalized through the creative genius that made Road Rules vs. Real World and that took Music Television and turned it into "Reruns of old shows we made, live TV and sitcoms, Total Request Live, reruns of total request live, reruns of the highlights of reruns of total request live and maybe a few videos TV" Let Matt Shepard have the dignity of having his true story be told.

PS The license plate numbers in Wyoming stand for counties...Laramie's number is 5(Albany County), not 2 and 11 as MTV put on the cars...research!!!!! 2 is Laramie County, 11 is Park County

A Great Step for Gay Rights!!!

[ty_electra · 9/10 · 10 January 2001]

To kick off MTV's "Fight for Your Rights" Campaign, this made-by-MTV movie is a very effective one. It accurately tells the story of the brutal murder of 22-year-old gay college student, Matthew Shephard, in Laramie, Wyoming, while still being very moving and artful. If you are gay or support gay-awareness, this is a huge step in the right direction. (I also commend MTV for showing a 30 minute doco on hate crimes and going off air for 17 hours and showing examples of hate crimes in America alone.)

A Fairly Good Drama

[TBelton1 · 28 October 2002]

I really enjoyed this made for TV MTV special; and I thought it was a fairly accurate depiction of the real life tragedy. I could have done without the first person comments (supposedly coming from the late Matthew Sheppard) as we don't really know what he would be saying. As for the acting, I'll give a big thumbs up to actor Ian Somerhalder who played the part of one of the murders, Russell Henderson. He played the part so well in fact that I almost found myself feeling some sympathy for the character (Henderson) who was more or less bullied by the other perpertrator who actually did the killing. Somerhalder is just hard to dislike I suppose. The other killer was easy enough to dispise though. Overall, I would give the movie an 8 of 10 rating; now if MTV will just put it out on DVD/VHS.

A movie that needed to be shown

[asherjdoak · 12 October 2002]

This was a very good movie and I'm glad that people know the truth about what happened that night. The one thing that sticks out in my mind, however, was when one of Matthew's killers, particularly, the guy who did the attack, spewed all that garbage about Matthew feeling his leg and all that when it clearly shows that that never happened. It just made me sick that someone could attack someone just because they're gay or whatever and not only show no remorse but also lie about what happened. I was glad that that big Mexican guy walloped him with a lead pipe because that indicated that what goes around comes around. I hope Matthew is at peace now and that his family and friends have found the will to go on.

Manipulation not appreciated

[bajbij · 22 May 2001]

I knew i was in trouble when:

A) MTV was making a hate crime movie & B) It was about the new posterchild for hate crime, Matthew Shephard.

Okay, I didn't expect Oscar caliber material (nor did I expect daytime emmy caliber material) but this was bad. Never mind the inaccuracies pointed out by other IMDB users. To annoint Matty as a saint is downright insulting to the audience, telling us what WE should feel. Just because this is based on a true story doesn't mean the director should forget the fundamentals of filmmaking and not concentrate on storytelling or characterization. Why should we feel sorry for Matt? This movie didn't tell me why I should feel bad for him. What, cuz he's gay? I'm not gay so I don't relate, thus it is the director's job to make the character seem human and give him a pitiable side, make him likable. To make him angelic is just insulting to the viewer. Oh, and make the killers out to be stereotypical bad guys? Poor writing. Of course the murderers were slime, but to make them outright cartoony is laughable and brings the production down. How about showing us insight on the criminals? Who they are, what they do for a living, and then show us why the night of the murder had such a HUGE impact. To hide behind the "he was murdered because he was gay" is a cop out. And what is a hate crime? Aren't all crimes hate? Isn't a murder of any caliber hate? Why should ones life not be more important just because he isn't gay? Just my two cents, not meant to be overtly political. BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD DO AMERICA still remains MTV's best movie (and that's more atributed to Mike "I had it, now I don't" Judge than it is to the corporate bigwigs at MTV)

A Fairly Good Drama

[TBelton1 · 28 October 2002]

I really enjoyed this made for TV MTV special; and I thought it was a fairly accurate depiction of the real life tragedy. I could have done without the first person comments (supposedly coming from the late Matthew Sheppard) as we don't really know what he would be saying. As for the acting, I'll give a big thumbs up to actor Ian Somerhalder who played the part of one of the murders, Russell Henderson. He played the part so well in fact that I almost found myself feeling some sympathy for the character (Henderson) who was more or less bullied by the other perpetrator who actually did the killing. Somerhalder is just hard to dislike I suppose. The other killer was easy enough to despise though. Overall, I would give the movie an 8 of 10 rating; now if MTV will just put it out on DVD/VHS.

Good Message, Not so Great Execution

[curlyamygirl · 27 October 2003]

This movie, based on the actual events about the murder of Matthew Shepard, started off well-meaning. But the ambiguous acting job by the title character didn't make you really CARE about him at all. While the message of the movie is a good one, it did come off a little preachy. Could a movie about respecting another's sexuality come off as anything but, though? .. I believe, actually, it could. Despite that, it's still a good, worthwhile flick that I believe everyone should have to see.

Fantastic, but sad

[grl_4_2gether · 15 January 2001]

This film showed how wonderful Matt Shepard was, and how brutally he was murdered. Although somewhat inaccurate, for the most part, it was terrific. Every actor involved did a great job portraying their characters. I watch this movie whenever it comes on MTV, but change it when they re-enact the murder. This scene is truly heartbreaking, more so if you knew more about it. Another difficult scene to watch is when they show the real footage of mourners, and protesters. After seeing this movie, you will understand how hard it can be in life. You'll probably want to know more, too.

manifesto

[Kirpianuscus · 10 January 2019]

Touching is the obvious term about it. The second term - manifesto. It is a testimony. Maybe , in too simple lines. Maybe, using in too easy manner the antagonism. But its purpose is to remind rights and need to not ignore them. To remind not exactly a case but to be a form of encouragement to the the lonely young people. The film has few flaws. And a basic virtue - to propose the story of Matthew Sheppart as support of reflection . Sure , the dichotomy remains too obvious and Matthew seems a martyr. But the film is just a cry , using for send its message the tools of TV movie. In inspired manner. One of good points- the performance of Cy Carter.