POLANSKI, UNAUTHORIZED TRIES TO EXPLAIN WHY THE DIRECTOR WENT OFF THE DEEP END
From 1978, Roman Polanski has lived mostly in Paris, where he escaped to avoid a court order for a psychiatric evaluation before a trial to defend himself against several crimes. A sympathetic biopic, Polanski, Unauthorized, tries to explain his complex personality, including drug use and womanizing. In the independent film, directed by Damian Chapa (who plays the title role), the scene shifts back and forth in time to link events in a creative manner. The basic premise is that his escape from the Nazis as a boy in Poland shaped his view of politics and society. The film comes at a time when a motion to quash all charges was filed in court so that he might return to Los Angeles for this 75th birthday. MH