There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane (2011 TV Movie) User Reviews

Disturbing and missing key elements

[Tucsonmom · 6/10 · 7 July 2020]

I watched this yesterday and thought it was compelling, but the more I have thought about it, the more I am convinced the husband is lying. Had he submitted to a polygraph, he'd have had more credibility. Yes, he could have been unaware of his wife's drinking since they worked different shifts, as an astute reviewer has noted. However, it is completely implausible that he and his wife had a pleasant morning and only consumed coffee before she got behind the wheel with 5 kids under 9 years old. They either smoked weed together, or he saw her do it, or they had a fight, or SOMETHING.

Otherwise what was the point of all the interviews saying how great she was? Something happened to change that on that day. The immature (worthless, actually, once you learn he resents having a child left alive to care for) Daniel knows some things. I truly believe that he is lying about any number of things that would shed considerable light on the events of that terrible day.

For instance, the private investigator they hired -- did Daniel really pay the guy? That would explain the man's reluctance to return his calls. It also explains why Jay, Daniel's sister-in-law, was "told not to answer the phone" when the investigator called her. Daniel didn't want Jay to know he hadn't actually sent all the money to the investigator.

I did some research and learned that Danny later sued his wife's brother, Warren Hance -- the father of Emma, Alyson, and Katie, who all died in the car with Diane at the wheel. The ridiculous reason? Diane was driving their van, which she borrowed to transport all the children and Daniel claimed that Warren was "vicariously liable" as the owner of the minivan.

Conclusion: Daniel Shuler is a piece of crap, his wife was a complete mess, and their dysfunctional life has ruined a lot of other lives.

A Study in Human Denial

[Mehki_Girl · 8/10 · 17 October 2020]

This is a study in denial. The reason for public backlashbwas because these people ecided to go public with their denial in the face of everything. If was a slap in the face of the other families she killed.

Whether she had a stroke, or heart attack, was angry, the fact is she had alcohol and pot in her bloodstream and chose to drive with kids in the car.

Insult to injury, these people chose to ask the public to not believe their lying eyes and ears.

If they had said, we are so sorry. This wasn't the Diane, we knew and for whatever reason, she wasn't thinking straight and got behind the wheel. Please let us grieve for ourselves and the other family in peace.

The whole she wasn't an alcoholic, didn't drink is bull. People who socially drink or who are not alcoholics do not consume 10 drinks at a setting and add even more drugs on top.

That's deliberate drinking to drunkenness. So she either was a drunk or a bingedrinker. You don't take not one drink while your sober and supposedly thinking straight and you know you have kids to drive home. If you can't stop after one or two, knowing you have to drive later and you keep drinking until you are drunk, but can hold you liquor, then you have tolerance And you have a problem whether known to the others are not. .

Then you're a secret drinker.

Stop insisting the public believe your denial in the face of toxicology reports. The medical people have no reason to lie.

This really made me angry.

Family denial at it's finest

[meghanjohns-00849 · 7/10 · 9 May 2021]

What an incredible display of family denial. They repeatedly discuss how Diane was private and didn't let anyone know what's going on. Then can't accept the fact that she most likely hid her drug and alcohol abuse. Wow. Very frustrating story. So sad for the victims.

Will Make You Both Angry and Sad

[Michael_Elliott · 26 May 2013]

There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane (2011)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Another hard-hitting documentary from HBO takes a look at the tragic case of Diane Shuler, the woman who drove the wrong way down a NY highway and eventually killed herself, her daughter, three nieces as well as three men in the other vehicle. Her family, and especially her widowed husband, believes that the toxicology reports saying she was drunk were incorrect so he tries to use this documentary to clear her name, which doesn't happen. Watching this film you can't help but get angry and sad. Sad because so many innocent lives were lost in what appears to be a drunk driving case at best and at worse perhaps some sort of suicide on the part of Diane. There are several theories given about what happened and it's clear that her husband wants to clear her name but it really does seem as if he's just trying to come up with anything to get over his grief. One really can't blame him for how he feels but at the same time I grew angry at him for coming up with anything to clear his wife. This includes saying the toxicology reports were wrong and he even wants to question a third report that pretty much confirms she was drunk. The film works pretty well as a mystery as one starts to think that something "other" happened to Diane but to me it was pretty obvious she was drunk no matter what else she was feeling. The documentary also interviews the three male victim's families and it's rather heartbreaking to hear them say they were preparing a meal when the three didn't make it home for it. THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH AUNT DIANE isn't a very easy film to watch but it certainly makes you appreciate time with her family because you simply never know when something like this could happen.

Less of a mystery than it is a reflection on grief

[wkbhss · 6/10 · 15 May 2021]

The most poignant part of this film for me was when the sister-in-law - who adamantly insists she would know if Diane had a drug or alcohol problem - smokes a cigarette and then jokes to the cameraman about how no one in her family knows she smokes...

Sometimes there is no satisfactory explanation

[mr_deadly · 7/10 · 27 January 2012]

This documentary is about a tragic accident, and the quest to find a satisfactory explanation for that accident. What it reveals is the remarkable human capacity for self-deception and denial, especially when confronted with a reality that is too painful to accept.

The Aunt Diane of the title, perhaps due to the pain of an abscessed tooth, uncharacteristically consumed a significant amount of alcohol and pot, leading to a horrendous accident that killed eight people, including herself. The documentary is about the difficulty her husband and sister-in-law have in accepting this reality.

An otherwise nice and responsible person, possibly suffering intense pain, impulsively and uncharacteristically made a really stupid decision to self-medicate, and the result was multiple deaths.

It really isn't fair, and I can understand why it is difficult for her family to accept. How can one dumb decision destroy so many lives? It is intensely frustrating and unsatisfying, but sometimes that's reality.

Diane's family reminds me of people who refuse to believe that JFK could be gunned down by one random guy named Oswald, or those who refuse to believe that 19 hijackers could use some box-openers and turn the world upside-down on 9/11. The causation is inadequate to the effect emotionally--it feels lopsided. So people often start to look for conspiracies and 'deeper' explanations, rather than accepting the simple, savage truth: sometimes small decisions can result in wildly disproportionate and tragic consequences.

Sad, sad, sad

[tamstrat · 7/10 · 6 May 2019]

The story of "Aunt Diane" is ultimately a story about denial. The family of Diane Schuler, while confronted with overwhelming evidence of her being drunk and high, is stunning. I know they loved her. But PLEASE! Toxicology reports have no reason to lie. This is one of the saddest stories I've ever heard. The fact that they thought she "had a stroke" was amazing. I don't think Diane Schuler was evil, I think she was an addict, who hid it very well from her family and friends. Based on the toxicology reports she was amazingly intoxicated but she maintained well enough to go to McDonald's and a gas station-HELLO! This shows me she had built up a tolerance to alcohol and weed, otherwise she would not be able to walk.

Then it (Vodka and Weed) truly kicked in. That's where it went off the rails. How awful for everyone involved. Those precious children taken, the son surviving but impaired for life. And the innocent men just driving to get a Spaghetti and Meatball dinner... I know the family loved Diane, but PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE HER CULPABILITY IN THIS....SHE WAS DRUNK AND HIGH. End of story.

Disturbing

[bnbohland · 6/10 · 17 October 2018]

I don't even know how to rate a documentary like this. Be warned, this will stick with you long after you've watched it. The entire story is just very disturbing and at the end there still is no answer as to why the tragic event happened. I thought the story telling was ok, but it truly focused too much on what a great person she was, when she killed 2 other people, herself and children because of her selfish actions. And the family being so hardcore in denial that she was an alcoholic even when they are presented with cold hard facts (the autopsy!!) is very difficult to watch. She had problems, and decided to get behind the wheel of a car that day, drunk and high as a kite- resulting in the deaths of many. Also, the image of her dead body with absolutely no warning right before was too much I felt, and didn't need to be in the documentary. I was very disturbed after this movie, so watch with caution.

An unfortunate case of denial

[reichjon-23828 · 9/10 · 16 November 2019]

There really is no mystery. The facts are quite clear, she was intoxicated. It may be a mystery to the family as to WHY she was intoxicated, but there should be no question as to the fact that she WAS intoxicated. I feel for Daniel and understand that it's difficult for him to accept his wife was drunk, caused an accident and took eight lives as a result; but, the sooner he comes to terms with the reality of what happened, the sooner he'll be able to move on with his life. And, frankly, the sooner he moves on, the sooner everyone around him, especially his son, will be able to move on as well. It's a heartbreaking story, but a very well done documentary. Definitely worth a watch.

Don't drink and drive, people.

Paid price for husband/sister-in-law cooperation

[Abfabbb · 7/10 · 19 August 2019]

I watched the documentary twice. It is very telling that the Hance's refused to participate. The main interviews are from the husband and sister-in-law. It seems they were handled with kid gloves in order to get their cooperation to do the show. They are both in severe denial about Diane and it takes an hour for them to admit she drank a little and smoked weed, a little. Too vague. Let's have some real questions to the husband. Marijuana was illegal back then so who did they buy it from and how often and how much did they spend on it ? Did hubby partake? He can't admit it or lose custody of his only child. So no decent interviews or lab tests on her hair for marijuana use. No collateral interviews from other relatives about partying, social events and drinking. Diane seemed to be controlling, Type A, wound tighter than a top, no sleep and on a path of self-destruction. No one noticed this? Ambien use ? It is also very strange for a woman to never discuss personal issues with other women. And for the husband to accept that his wife "didn't want to talk about why her mother left the family when Diane was a child." Something serious is off with the husband and their marriage and if he can't smell marijuana on his wife ---I do not see when she ingested the pot on the van trip home. An abscess tooth defense is pathetic. Very sad that 7 innocent lives are lost over someone that needed a psychiatrist/marriage counselor but appeared to be a control freak and know it all and boss that no one would go up against. Not enough impartial witnesses from both sides of the family !!!!!!!

Very telling in some ways

[staciarose20 · 5/10 · 18 May 2022]

Mostly the relationship between Diane and Danny. His mom said she treated him like a big child. So he never had to lift a finger, had some kind of job as a security guard. During the hours leading up to the crash neither called each other once. You get my point? She calls her brother instead. Towards the end this horribly obnoxious man says something bitter about being left to raise a kid he didn't want, and he'd stopped working. His sister was struggling in his place to be Brian's parent. That said it all for me. Diane was overwhelmed. A volcano that was going to erupt no matter what. She hid her pain. She avoided things like the dentist, and her mom. She hated being out of control. Maybe she'd reached the end of her rope and was gonna take the kids with her. I don't think Diane was a horrible person leading up to the crash, but her choices took eight lives. She knew she was drinking and smoking pot. She knew she had four kids with her. She stopped along the way, yet kept going. At any time she could have called 911 for help. She didn't. My theory is Diane was an alcoholic who took recreational drugs, and Danny knew about it. She was the only one keeping all the plates spinning, until she dropped them all. I hope Jay raised Brian. I really do.

Most horrifying movie I've ever seen

[Patmarie · 8/10 · 28 March 2012]

Be warned! This movie stuck with me for nearly a week. After it ended I was kind of in shock for the rest of the day. Many may have experienced a similar feeling after seeing Schindler's List, but even that movie contained more hope than this.

This is one of the highest quality documentaries I've seen. Very well done. The suspense builds throughout as husband and sister-in-law battle to prove that Diane was not under the influence; that an autopsy stating the contrary had to be a mistake. The film never states this one way or the other, but by the end you will know. It doesn't even come close to preaching on this subject, but makes the point in an extremely powerful, yet subtle way.

We first hear about the victims, and the accident, see and hear bits of the funerals. Then we hear the coroner's statement, and think, 'Oh, no, this couldn't be true.', and identify with the denial of Diane's family.

Towards the end, we see that Daniel, the widower, seems cold and immature. He does not seem very warm to his young son, the only survivor. I could imagine feeling something like 'My God, you are all I have left, I'm lucky to have you, I love you.' But he says, 'I never even wanted to have kids, and now I'm stuck with this, I'm a single parent.' Okay... There's a heartbreaking scene where the two are walking and Bryan tries to hold his Dad's hand, Dad responds a little and Bryan ultimately gives up. I'm glad Bryan was finally able to at least get therapy.

To me the true hero of the story is Jay, the sister-in-law. You can see that she really cares for all of her family involved, and especially for Bryan. She is probably the best person in his life.

Driving is an awesome responsibility, and anytime we drive our own or someone else's child, it is even more so. Many of us spend our days shuffling kids here and there, this really makes you pause and think. And...the idea of having anything in your system, even with the excuse of trying to dull the pain of a severe toothache, there is just no way that anyone should even consider getting behind the wheel in that state, let alone consuming more as one is driving.

Part of Diane's problem seemed to be that no one could ever tell her what to do or not do. So, she refused to get her teeth cared for as she should have, and when she then had severe pain, treated it her own way, a choice that led to the deaths of eight people, including four young children, causing horrible grief for all the families involved.

There's no twist here

[ashsalter-29643 · 5/10 · 2 August 2022]

Unlike most documentaries, this one doesn't come with a twist. A truly horrific story with a family in denial.

There's a difference between being a drunk and being drunk. Danny and the sister-in-law base their entire rebuttal of the obvious cause of the accident on Diane not being someone who drank. You can be someone who doesn't drink often and still get drunk. In fact, Diane not being a big drinker would only mean her tolerance to alcohol would be considerably less than someone who did drink. And given the toxicology report, there's no real alternative theory to follow.

After being told by the doctor that the toxicology report was done well and supports the claim Diane was drunk and High to an extreme level, Diane's sister-in-law disappears outside to smoke a cigarette. During this, she goes on to say none of her family know she smokes. Yet she and Danny are convinced Diane did not have a drink/drug problem because there's no way they wouldn't have known, despite Danny and Diane working opposite shift patterns and both admitting that Diane did smoke and drink.

A tragic story with a documentary not focussing enough on the real victims. I hope the family finds closure and accepts that Diane, for whatever reason, willingly drank and got high prior to getting behind the wheel.

An Intriguing and Inconclusive Documentary

[Moviegoer19 · 11 September 2011]

I eagerly watched "Aunt Diane" because the story has troubled and fascinated me since it happened. As a psychotherapist (LCSW) and writer, I am often attracted to psychological events that are in some way out of the ordinary and involve something highly unexpected. In this case, besides the obvious emotional magnets, the hook is the seemingly straight-laced Super Mom who drives like a demon under the influence of not only alcohol, but pot too, and as a result, kills eight people, including herself. Really tragic, and begging for an explanation.

Unfortunately, this documentary doesn't provide it, though it does give some good hints and clues. Watching this film confirmed what I have thought all along: the real criminal in this picture is not the female D. Schuler; rather, it's the male: Daniel. My theory prior to watching this was that Diane left the campground that morning angry. Was she consciously angry that Daniel got to drive off alone,(er,with the family dog) while she got to take the five kids for breakfast and then take the three girls home to her brother and sister-in-law's house? Maybe not, but then, as the documentary shines light on, Diane was bursting with a lot of unrealized and unexpressed anger, starting twenty seven years ago when, at the age of nine, her mother took off, leaving Diane (the only girl) in charge of her brothers and father.

As Daniel's mother so aptly described, Diane had more of a third child in Daniel than a husband or partner. Perhaps Diane did what many of us unwittingly do so well: she chose a mate who helped to recreate her role in her original family. It's not wildly improbable to assume that beneath the facade of the happy, in-charge, in-control woman was someone who was seething with unexpressed frustration and anger, which in turn made her prone to psychosomatic problems, such as TMJ, which was alluded to (moving her jaw, pain near the ear) in the film, perhaps headaches, and/or other stress-related pains and bothersome conditions.

One of these conditions likely caused her to stop and seek pain killers, and then, given their unavailability, had Diane turn to vodka and pot, to soothe both her physical and psychic pain. I highly doubt that Diane used these extensively on a regular basis, for, as her friends and relatives described, she functioned too well. She did, however, like to have them on hand, for emergencies such as how she felt that morning: incapacitated by both headache and rage.

Another clue suggested by the film was when Jay Schuler casually mentions that Daniel never wanted kids. This is a big, red flag, suggesting to me that on all these happy, festive family events, not to mention in the family activities of their daily lives, Daniel was an unwilling participant. Yes, he was present and he did the perfunctory actions, but ultimately, in the end, he went off on his own (emotionally if not literally) leaving Diane with most of the work.

The other enlightening thing that Jay Schuler said was when, about three quarters of the way through the film, she is seen throwing up her hands and talking about Daniel, saying, basically, what a pain-in-the-butt he could be, how he only went so far in a process and then essentially said he had had enough, and also, about his insensitivity toward both her and Bryan, his son. Out loud, I said, "Yeah, imagine how Diane must have felt."

There are other psychological pieces which could be addressed but in another venue. As part of a film review, however, I think it's fair to say that the film contributed information which, for me, solidified the opinion I have had since that day two years ago: if there is a real villain in this story, it is Daniel. He is the passive aggressive, disturbed child-man who is not interested in the truth coming out about what happened because that would indict him.

I think this is one of the reasons, at least, that the Hances declined participation in the film. Besides their own emotional reasons why they didn't want to appear in it, they may also not want to publicly state certain things, though given the legal actions that are currently taking place, I suspect the truth will soon be known.

Hard-hitting documentary about the horrific Taconic NY State Parkway car crash

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 27 February 2019]

"There Is Something Wrong With Aunt Diane" (2011 release; 103 min.) is a documentary about the horrific Taconic NY State Parkway car crash that killed 8 people. As the movie opens, we are "July 26, 2009", and we see security footage of a minivan stopping at a gas station, with a woman getting out and wanting to by OTC medication but the gas station doesn't have any. We then hear frantic 911 calls where people report a minivan driving at high speed in the wrong direction on the Taconic State Parkway, and then crash, killing the woman and 4 small children in the minivan, and the three adults in the SUV it hit head-on. Five says after the accident, the Westchester authorities which have done an autopsy, state that the woman had the alcohol equivalent of 10 drinks in her body, as well as high levels of pot. The woman's surviving husband and sister-in-law immediately start a public campaign that this is simply impossible... At this point we are 15 min. into the documentary but to tell you more of how it unfolds would spoil your viewing experience.

Couple of comments: this is the latest film from veteran and well-respected documentarian Liz Garbus ("Bobby Fischer Against the World"). Here she tackles the mystery of how a Diane, a 'normal' housewife who loves her young kids and nieces, ends up causing this horrific car crash, seemingly drunk and high (and at extreme levels no less). Garbus dissects the events of that day almost minute-by-minute, and of course interviews tons of people, nor just family members, but also experts that she engages (such as a forensic psychiatrist and an addiction psychiatrist). It all boils down to this: was the autopsy done correctly, and if so, how did she end up drunk and high? As you can well imagine, tension and emotions run high at times in such a heavily charged debate. But of course, regardless of what happened or how it happened, nothing will ever change the fact that 8 people dies that fateful day. It just leaves you shaking your head in disbelief. The documentary is a tidbit too long for its own good, but in the end it's a minor complaint.

I happened to stumble on this on HBO on Demand just the other day while looking for something good to watch. And that it certainly is, even though one cannot help but feel sorry for the families involved. Given that this documentary is now 7-8 years old, I would have loved to get a "where are they now" update on some of the prominent characters involved (Diane's husband, the young son who is the only one to survive the accident, etc.). If you are a fan of documentaries, I'd readily suggest you check this out if you get the chance.

slow start

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 18 August 2013]

There's a fatal traffic accident that left aunt Diane, her daughter, 3 nieces and 3 men in the other car dead. The case is revealed slowly. In fact, it's done too slowly. What went wrong? After watching so many police procedurals, it's obviously that we need the tox report but they keep holding it off. Instead, they keep going to family and friends who repeat the same sentiment. She's a great mom, and they have no idea what happened. Once we really get into it. It is a fascinating story. The family starts giving more insights. The story gets moving. However in the end, we don't really get the whole story. The movie could be a simple hour-long investigative piece that ties in with the larger drug epidemic. It's not necessary to drag this out so much.

So much Loss, so much Denial

[steve_sg · 7/10 · 26 April 2022]

I have to say that my heart goes out to the families, losing a family member is hard enough, but when it's Children, it goes beyond words.

That said, I just can't get past the complete DENIAL of Diane's family.

Vodka doesn't miraculously materialise in the blood on crashing, nor alas does Marijuana. It got there somehow, and maybe the Family need to accept that small detail.

Would it give them closure, impossible to say, but I don't think so.

VERY well made and thought our documentary, showing due care and concideration for all involved.

Revealing Documentary...

[shaneizoid · 7/10 · 10 May 2020]

Certainly a revealing Documentary but unlike other such movies, it's probably more revealing about the viewers own intuitions or feelings than ultimately the subjects. A tragedy is investigated from all angles. Hard to watch at times but a very well put together piece.

The amount of alcohol

[Kosh32 · 9/10 · 26 June 2014]

I was both shocked & intrigued by this documentary. For me, the most shocking part of the whole store was that Diane evidently believed that the most appropriate time to crack a open a bottle of vodka and skin up a joint was when she had a car full of kids, two of which were her own.

However, the one thing that this documentary fails to accurately portray is just how much alcohol Diana had consumed. The toxicologist merely states that she had 10 drinks in her system plus six grams in her stomach that had yet to enter her blood stream. 0.19 BAC is roughly ten drinks in the US, but one shot of vodka is 0.15 fl.oz, this multiplied by ten is 15 fl.oz. A US pint is 16 fl.oz. Baring in mind the six grams that was still in her stomach.

DIANE HAD DRUNK A FULL PINT OF VODKA!!!

This combined with the joint she had smoked (all within a couple of hours). Believe me, she was totally oblivious to her situation. I'm amazed she got as far as she did before disaster struck. What a tragedy that she could not wait until she was home.

She was hammered

[jesslew-97367 · 6/10 · 26 November 2020]

Looking at the toxicology results, she was HAMMERED and pretty high

the family's level of denial is insane

[monikamarie · 5/10 · 29 November 2020]

So the medical examiner is wrong, the toxicology tests are wrong, witness statements (the nieces she ended up killing) are wrong? because some deluded husband can't admit his wife was a drunk? this whole family needs therapy.

Informative documentary about a tragic story

[gkangchs · 8/10 · 21 October 2021]

There's no official opinion this documentary is trying to sway the audience into, which I do appreciate. It states the truth, as documentaries should, and the struggle that the family goes through to find answers to what happened with their loved one.

My issue is with the family and how adamant they are that Diane didn't drink let alone be capable of doing it while driving. Even the victims' families say they forgive Diane Schuler for taking their father or brother away, so why can't the family admit that she may have made a terrible judgment call that took the lives of eight people? Sure, it looks bad, but people make mistakes.

The sister-in-law especially baffles me--I understand the need to protect the reputation of someone you loved, but don't say you need 100 cigarettes after finding out that Diane had, in fact, been drinking while driving--with kids in the car, no less--and go outside and smoke a cigarette on camera and say, "My family doesn't even know I smoke." Well, Diane may have had a regular drink, or at least been drunk that day, and her family didn't even know it. In fact, they REFUSE to believe it. It's not clear if the sister-in-law changed her mind regarding Diane, but hopefully the husband managed to move forward with his life for Bryan's sake.

there was something wrong

[vandenberg-82288 · 7/10 · 13 April 2023]

This documentary tells the story about the 2009 Taconic State Parkway crash. Eight people were killed when a minivan, being driven by 36-year-old Diane Schuler, traveled 1.7 miles (2.7 km) in the wrong direction on the parkway and collided head-on with an oncoming SUV. Diane died. As did her daughter and her 3 nieces. Only her 5 year old son survived. Why did it happen? Well autopsy revealed traces of drugs and alcohol in her system. So no mystery really. The real mystery is the state of mind of her relatives. They refuse to believe she'd drive drunk and high. They doubt the tests...they keep saying mistakes must have been made because the Diane we knew would never do this. The families of the men in the other car who died are rightfully anger about their level of disbelieve. There are no real answers. We do not find out why Diane did it and nobody changes their mind about the situation. Which is a little unsatisfying. But really sometimes there are no answers.

She was no saint stop trying to make her into one.

[hcurrie77 · 4/10 · 31 August 2019]

What makes me mad is this man wants his wife to be a saint. I can accept that she made a mistake. She was a good mother, wife and daughter in law but she messed up. The more he insists she be remembered as this above reproach angel the madder people are getting. A small part of me believes this man is just a narcissist and believes he and his wife are above us. How dare we critize them.