‘Catfish’ is enthralling, exploitive

I’ve never seen a film like Catfish before, and I hope I never do again. It’s billed as a documentary, and although it features real people doing seemingly real things, I’m not sure how much of the plot is orchestrated and how much is organic. There’s no doubt that Catfish is absolutely enthralling and will keep one riveted for its 87 minutes. It is one of the most thought-provoking films I have seen in a long time, but I’m not sure how much of this enthrallment is well-earned.

What is it about? Well, I’d rather not say as Catfish is definitely one of those movies that deserves to be seen without any preconceived notions. So, instead of detailing the plot, here’s what I’ll do. The following section is made up of some questions that I asked myself before watching the movie. I’ll provide answers to those queries that won’t spoil anything.

• Is Catfish a horror movie? (No, but it’s thrilling and creepy.)

• Is Catfish a documentary? (Yes, I think so.)

• Is Catfish exploitive? (Yes, though some may disagree on who is exploiting whom.)

• Is there acting in Catfish, or is everything real? (You will have to be the judge of that.)

• Does Catfish make you laugh? (Occasionally)

• Does Catfish make you cry? (Although I didn’t shed tears, there is a sorrowfulness that permeates the film.)

Because I was so enthralled by Catfish, I have to recommend it. Here’s a little about the film’s plot, but not too much: Filmmakers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost decide to make a movie about Ariel’s brother, Nev, a dance photographer, and his wild ride through the world of social networking. One of Nev’s photographs catches the attention of a young girl named Abby from Michigan. She loves Nev’s photograph so much that she draws an exact likeness, showing off an incredible talent at such a young age. They share some back-and-forths on the computer, and eventually Nev is brought into Abby’s life, talking and online chatting with her parents and sister.

That’s it, I can’t go any further. I may have written too much. To go any deeper would certainly ruin the film.

Final question:

• Is the film good?

Well, the short answer is yes, if one were to judge it based solely on the “interest factor.” If one were to look at the “human factor,” Catfish is a dangerous movie that crosses a documentary’s ethical line (or comes close to doing so). By the end of the movie, I felt sorry for the people involved in the film, both Nev and the other unsuspecting characters.  I didn’t necessarily like it, but like reality television, I found it difficult to turn my head away.

Catfish deserves the controversy it has amassed, but I’m not sure what’s more controversial, the story or the storytelling.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Catfish
  
• 2010
• Directed by Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost
  
• Starring Yaniv Schulman
  
• Running time: 87 minutes
• Rated PG-13 for some sexual references
• Rating:

Revised