Movie #81 Catfish (2010)

Subjective reality.

This was a major theme in the movies of 2010.  There is I'm Still Here (review to come), Exit Through the Gift Shop, Inception, The Social Network, Scott Pilgrim vs the World, ect.  Catfish is a documentary that has undergone a lot of scrutiny.  There are those people that believe that this documentary was totally staged.  Then there are those that believe that it is 100% natural.  Then there are those of us like me that couldn't care less, we just want to be entertained.  If I find out that Catfish is scripted will I feel cheated?  No.  Catfish had my stomach literally in knots about 2/3 the way through.  I was twisting and wrenching on my couch.  I was yelling at the TV and telling my dog "CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?!?"

I guess I should tell you what it is about.  Catfish is about a 20 something photographer that receives a painting of one of his photos.  The painting was sent by an eight year old girl.  She asks for permission to make more painting of his photos and they begin an online friendship.  During the course of this friendship they friend each other on Facebook and he (Nev) meets her whole family.  Nev then begins a cyber, long distance relationship with the 19 year old sister of the little girl.  Things progress and a few months later they are pretty serious.

Then there starts to be some cracks in the family structure and online profiles.  At first it is little things then some major inconsistencies and flat out lies are exposed.  What started out as a doc about an eight year old painter then evolved into a doc on modern romance, now starts to take on a creepy and deceitful mood.  They film makers decide to visit the farm and small town where the family lives and surprise them and hopefully get to the bottom of all their questions.

What happens next I won't spoil, but oh my god I was freaked out.  Then when the nerves calmed down and the big reveal happens I was stunned.  Then another reveal , and another and so on.

Hoax or not Catfish blew my socks off.  I give Catfish a 4/5 stars and recommend highly you watch it.  I would watch it with another person, because you are going to want to talk about it and you want want to spoil it for anyone.  Check out one of the best trailers of the year at the Trailer Park to see for yourself.