Dear Dom - not a god or king, but a man

I got to see the 'controversial' documentary last Sunday. Since so much has already been written about it, I am not going to do another review about it, just a short observation.

The film doesn't adulate Dom. It doesn't demonize him either. Overall, it is as objective and balanced as possible, to the point that I think some of the worst experiences were so mellowed down as to make them seem frugal or almost a necessary evil for him to reach his vision.

I can find only one reason why his diehard supporters might accuse the film of being unbalanced and negative. And that's because the underlying tone of the movie presents Mr. Mintoff as a man with his merits and his faults, a man like any one of us. It shatters the divine myth of the Saviour they've been indoctrinated with. And like a child who's just been told that Christmas Father doesn't exist, they stamp their feet in anger and denial.

The only thing I say is that no matter how many pictures of him you post on facebook and no matter how many messages of love, thanks and humbled appreciation you post beneath them, you will never heal the scars of those who have terribly suffered because of his methods. And you cannot force them to forgive him, as they cannot force you to empathize with what they've been through. Accepting that other people were truly hurt, and that all is not just either black or white, could be the first step in healing some wounds.

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