"Catfish." You've probably heard the buzz about this documentary-type thriller, and if not, keep it that way. I highly advise you to stop reading right here, go see the film right now, then return to this review after — yes, this is one of those films that's best seen without any prior knowledge.
"Catfish" is the serendipitous unraveling of unexpected real events; a film that takes us on an exhilarating discovery of what the Internet makes people capable of doing. When photographer Nev Schulman receives a painting in the mail of a recreation of one of his photos, an unusual relationship begins to blossom over Facebook. Filmmakers Rel Schulman, Nev's brother, and Henry Joost, Nev's friend, decide to document the relationship as it develops.
As Nev begins to converse with the artist — an 8-year-old girl named Abby from a small town in Michigan — along with the rest of her highly attractive family, a new love begins to form between Nev and Abby's older sister Megan. As the friendship develops and becomes more intimate, and as Abby begins to send Nev more beautiful paintings of his photographs, Nev decides to take things to the next level — why not try to meet the family in real life? Everything seems picture perfect, a vastly talented young girl with high-bidding buyers of her art, a gorgeous mother and father, a teenage son who has his own band and of course, the radiantly beautiful 19-year-old Megan, who begins to fall for Nev through Facebook messages, texts and phone calls. Nev declares that they seem like a pretty awesome family " ... at least from Facebook."
Although plans to meet the entire family never seem to work out, Nev doesn't give up hope. But as things begin to appear more perfect, Nev, Rel and Henry catch Megan in an unmistakable lie — leading them to question whether this ideal family is all they claim themselves to be.
The most remarkable aspect of this film is that it is utterly real, each event shocking us just as much as it does the characters. Directors Henry and Rel not only allow us to be viewers of these thrilling events, but also put us in the front seat with them, making us the real victims as we, along with them, discover the shocking truth. It is easy to empathize with Nev. He is so abruptly honest from the start; he admits to the camera, while eating lunch at his desk, that he doesn't even want to do this, frequently revealing his opposition to the filming of his daily life.
The astounding creativity, yet highly simplistic style of the film allows us to experience the same emotions as Nev — we meet this mysterious family through their Facebook photos and About Me's, we experience conversations first hand through messages and Google chat, we are directed to their locations through pinpoints and street-views on Google Maps and we follow the three men on their journey across the country through pixelated GPS maps. This ingenious style pulls us into the electronic mediation of the story. It not only shows us reality through technology, but also latently delivers the ultimate message to us — how easily we are accustomed to living through technology and the extent to which it makes us vulnerable.
This film will shock and entertain. This is definitely not your average documentary, and nothing like any thriller you've seen before. With an ending you won't predict (don't ask your friends, please!) that will question your capacity for sympathy, "Catfish" is a must-see that will leave you in awe of the power of the documentary.
