Watch When I Last Saw Jesse

When I Last Saw Jesse is a 2019 documentary directed by Brian Rose that tells the story of the disappearance of Jesse Ross, a 19-year-old student who vanished during a college trip to Chicago in 2006. The film is based on the experience of Jesse's parents, Donna and Donald Ross, who have tirelessly been searching for their son for over a decade.

The movie opens with footage of Jesse's parents giving a glimpse of their life before Jesse went missing. They show some old home videos of Jesse as a child, highlighting his happy childhood and love for music. Jesse was a talented singer, and his parents always dreamt of him becoming a famous musician someday.

The documentary then moves into a detailed account of the fateful day when Jesse disappeared. It was May 20, 2006, and Jesse was participating in a conference with other students from his university. He went out for an evening stroll with his friend, and since then, he has not been seen or heard from.

The Ross family immediately flew to Chicago and started looking for Jesse, but the police were not as proactive as they expected. The film highlights some significant discrepancies in the police investigation, including the use of cadaver dogs almost two weeks after Jesse disappeared. Moreover, the police neglected to interview witnesses or investigate CCTV cameras at the hotel where the conference was taking place. Due to poor police work, the Rosses were compelled to take matters into their own hands.

Donna and Donald Ross set up a website called www.findjesse.com to gather information about their son's disappearance. The site has been instrumental in getting new leads and keeping people aware of the case. The documentary shows how the Rosses have been following up on the leads and probing possible sightings of Jesse across the country.

The film's focus on the Rosses and their love for their son is deeply moving, and it's inspiring to see them persisting in their search for Jesse despite significant odds. Donna and Donald Ross have become tireless campaigners for missing persons and have transformed their experience into positive action. The documentary also showcases their unwavering support for other families who have gone through similar experiences.

Throughout the film, the director provides insights from Jesse's friends and family, recounting some of the best times they had with him. The testimonials are poignant and speak to the kind of person Jesse was - kind, caring, and charming.

When I Last Saw Jesse does an excellent job of portraying Donna and Donald Ross's anguish and their continuous struggle over the years. The documentary also touches on the emotional and mental impact of having a loved one disappear. The Rosses' willingness to share their story with the world is a testament to their resilience and love for their son.

In conclusion, When I Last Saw Jesse is a touching and powerful documentary about a parent's unwavering quest for answers. It is a testament to the power of love, hope, and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The documentary provides a platform to the Rosses to share their story, raise awareness for missing persons, and inspire others to become advocates for their loved ones. Thanks to the Ross family's efforts, many have come to know Jesse's story and continue to hope for his safe return.

When I Last Saw Jesse is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.