Review of Catfish (2010) by James S — 24 May 2011

Catfish is a movie filled with so many different aspects. It is rare that a film can act as a thriller, a horror, a weepy and all the time, being a documentary but Catfish manages just that.

The fact that it is a documentary is at time almost too hard to believe. It's story is more compelling than a good number of fictional films. Nev, a photographer from New York begins an online relationship with a family who's 8 year old daughter has produced a painting of one of his photos. Nev's relationship with the family and in particular the eldest daughter continues as more paintings arrive before the cracks begin to show.

To reveal anything further would be to rob Catfish of one of it's biggest assets which is the mystery that we begin to solve along with Nev and his documentary producing friends. The film feels like it could easily descend into horror movie territory, and there is a real sense of not knowing where on earth this story is going to go which makes the picture such compelling viewing.

What the film does become is something completely unexpected. It reveals a fascinating insight into the online world and social networking which is both thought provoking, tear provoking and paranoia inducing.

Much has been made of the authenticity of Catfish. Is this for real or was it all very carefully arranged. There are lots of moments that could have been staged. Yet, you feel that if this were a set up then they may have played things out differently. It's the reality of catfish, knowing that what you are watching is real which lends it much of its power. A fine documentary/drama with an uneasily lasting effect.