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They were like demigods.
They sang about love, peace, politics, and matters of planetary significance.
Their art paused time and advanced culture.
Their shows incited hysterics.
It all seems religious in retrospect.
This was not wise.
We didnt know any better.
Its an unthinkable, unrepeatable act, using the nations biggest stage to erect a frozen monument to yourself.
Jackson represented both power and magic, a ray beam of selfless good and unprecedented talent.
But its a messianic story, perhaps a touch too good to be true.
British director Dan Reeds HBO documentaryLeaving Neverlandsuggests that something else was going on.
Its a knotty situation.
Jackson was never formally found guilty of a crime.
Both parties ultimately agreed to settle the matter out of court.
He was pops Peter Pan.
Children shared his bed like friends at a sleepover.
(The family tried to sueLeaving Neverlandout of existence sight unseen, but HBO wont buckle.)
Fans who havent seen the film yet are out in force calling both men liars and opportunists.
Reed toldCBS This Morningthat neither accuser was paid to appear in the film.
He was one of the greatest dancers of all time, full stop.
He made incredible music and unusual, engrossing videos.
He gave money to charity.
He was picked apart by the press for years.
The full brunt of the allegations the documentary presents is far more ghoulish.
The audacity is unconscionable.
Both accusers planned to take their stories to the grave in the interest of upholding Jacksons image.
Both began to break when they had sons of their own.
Both appear to be trying to find peace by breaking cycles.
The answer to the question of what they want seems simple.
We took too many liberties with Michael Jackson.
Too many people thought too highly of him when too much about him was questionable.
No one deserves that much power.
I went outside one night this week to catch my breath after watchingLeaving Neverlandin one sitting.
I heard Dont Stop Til You Get Enough in the wild.
I also felt envy for the people around me who hadnt seen the thing yet.
His music doesnt give me joy anymore.
I dont know if the feeling will ever come back.
That matters as much as the moonwalk, as much as PYT.
That might make Heal the World a lie.
That might make the Man in the Mirror a monster.
