catfish

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

i'm really not sure what to make of this. i can appreciate how challenging the subject is of what is essentially an online fraudster, and how she will lie and cheat throughout the friendship. i think it was all handled very maturely by all three of the makers.

however there is the question as to just how genuine the whole thing is. there's a rumour going round that the end was filmed first (the interviews with angela and her husband), and then the build up has been completely fabricated to make a tense film of it all. i knew about this going into it, and by the end i'm pretty convinced that the rumour is false, and that the entire documentary is genuine, except for one thing. by the end you truly do empathise with angela and why she did what she did - particularly after what her husband says about catfish - but i'd still like to know why rel and henry chose to make a documentary about nev's relationship with abby in the first place. it feels a little too random of a start to the thing.

 

[charliepanayi]

I wonder how much of the film is real too, it does feel like the penny would have dropped much earlier if this had been real. Nevertheless it is an interesting watch, if uncomfortable at times, and it makes good points about online personas that people create. Worth a watch for anyone who hasn't.

 

[Eight]

My mates lending it to me soon, but so far all I've seen is trailers and heard from word of mouth that it's supposed to be really unsettling and a right eye opener.

I have a rough idea of what to expect (my friend sucks at not spoiling things, thankfully I don't know everything that happens) and I gotta agree, it does seem odd that they started documenting this whole relationship. Either it was staged or the dudes know when something'll be big and to start rolling that camera.

 

[SaShman]

I felt quite sad for

Spoiler

Angela, she had given up on her real life to the point where she could only be happy as someone else.

but i'd still like to know why rel and henry chose to make a documentary about nev's relationship with abby in the first place. it feels a little too random of a start to the thing.

I agree, but after thinking about it, it kinda makes sense in a way. You don't meet a child prodigy artist everyday. Especially one who shares a special relationship with a guy in your office. Supposing the film is real, I think the fact that the film makers had easy access to Nev would've played a big role in their decision to make the film.

 

[Will Graham]

Just saw it about two weeks ago, and I have to say I really really enjoyed it. First of all I don't see that rumour being true, Nev seemed genuinely excited at first to meet a child prodigy like Abby, and then his relationship with Megan seemed realistic. I think it's quite plausible Henry and his brother began filming it, it's a somewhat unique story meeting a prodigy like that, plus Rel and Henry seem like the kind of guys who take a camera everywhere.

By the end you did empathise with Angela and why she did what she did, and the ending is quite nicely done. The husband for me was unexpectedly deep and understanding, to be honest I expected a dumb slob but he was quite the opposite.