Catfish (2010)

Catfish

Starring: Yaniv Schulman

Directed By: Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman

Nev Schulman is a young photographer living in New York. After a picture of his is published in the newspaper, he receives a painting of it in the mail from an 8-year old named Abby, whom lives in Michigan. They begin a friendship through emails, and Nev talks with Abby’s mother over the phone and on Facebook. He commences sending more of his photographs to her, and she in return paints them and sends him the recreations. Nev eventually learns of an older sister named Meghan living at the house, too. They start a bond through phone calls and picture exchanges, and it quickly becomes something much more than just friends over the internet.

It was not until after I watched Catfish that I learned there was a lot of debate circling its validity. While the filmmakers stand by its authenticity, many celebrities, reviewers and other directors believe it to be the perfect faux-documentary. It is understandable; every little moment that unravels throughout the story comes about with the utmost precision. With that being said, there is still a large part of my conscious that just cannot believe the story was made up. 

I guess I never followed this film initially because I had summed it up as a lame reality movie that chronicles the growth of a relationship by way of social networking. Well, that is exactly what it does, minus the lame aspect. At first, the story just did not seem all that interesting to me and the main person that it is focused on appeared kind of annoying. And he is, for a large part of the film. What is interesting is the obsession he builds with a person he has never met before, and how reliable and truly loving it all feels. 

Unfortunately, not a lot can be said in terms of the story, as it would completely ruin the first time experience for a viewer. You will more than likely be able to figure out many of the outcomes before they unfold, but exactly how much you find out is more of the point than anything else is. While not action packed or thrilling in the traditional sense, Catfish will keep you on the edge of your seat with its own kind of tension.