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CATFISH (2010) (****)

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Serendipity often plays a huge part in some of the greatest documentaries ever made. Like Errol Morris with THE THIN BLUE LINE or Ross McElwee with SHERMAN'S MARCH, filmmakers Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman had their cameras ready when a story presented itself. They began filming before they really knew what they had. When they started there is no way they could have imagined how crazy the journey to the end would be.

Ariel's brother Nev is a professional photographer. He often shoots dancers. After one of his pictures appeared in the newspaper, he received a painting of the photograph from Abby, an eight year old living in Michigan. The paintings show talent. Over time he develops a pen pal relationship with the young girl. Her mother Angela says that her daughter's paintings have sold for upwards of $7,000. Nev becomes friends with them on Facebook and starts chatting up Abby's older sister Megan, a singer and wannabe model. They talk on the phone and Nev certainly is falling for the pretty girl. His brother and Joost thought they were filming a story of how technology affects modern romance. They got that and so much more.

It's so hard to discuss this film without giving too much away. Lets just say nothing is as it seems. The family has their secrets and when Nev goes to meet them, it's shocking what he finds.

The film delves into deep questions of identity in the social media age. Who are we talking to when we friend someone we've never met in person? What are their lives really like in the real world? How easy is it to hide behind a profile picture? Are we fakes or more like our real selves when we aren't face to face with others? Are we braver? Unlimited self-expression is only keystrokes away.

Nev is a nice guy. This is key to the success of the film. There is a point where the film could have gone down one path, but Nev and the directors tackle the situation with tact and decency. As a result, they delve deeper into the story they want to tell. A more aggressive approach would have probably shut them out and the film wouldn't have the unique, fascinating ending that it does.

When Nev and the directors, show up to meet the family, the family's reaction is… you have to see. Each member has a completely different perspective on the situation. Many feelings surround the lead up to the visit, which plays like a thriller. But in the end the feelings of Nev and the filmmakers come through. The chief being pity. Anger could have been one, but it's not. They don't want to exploit these people; they just want to let them tell their side of the story.

I am in awe of this film. It's in a class all its own. It really is like a thriller with twists and turns and surprising revelations. It gives us compelling, original characters in Nev, Angela, Abby and Megan. At the end, it backtracks and replays elements from the beginning that, with the new information, come off in a startling new way. It challenges our own perceptions.

The title is as enigmatic as the rest of the film. It's meaning doesn't reveal itself until the very end. When it does, you know why they chose it. I thank God for the catfish, someone says. I thank God for CATFISH.

Rick DeMott's picture

Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks