Review of Grizzly Man (2005) by Lisa Z — 16 Apr 2009

Werner Herzog's Grizzly Man is a lot more than just a simple compilation of images of some guy talking to bears, in the hands of the german filmaker this becomes a fantasy-shattering look at the coldness and indiference of nature. It's also a look at the life of a lonely man (Treadwell) that, leaving aside all his more than clear mental issues, was above anything else loyal to his goal, as insane as said goal could have been.

Herzog is no stranger to stories about people dedicating their lives to wild dreams, the man himself shares this trait with Treadwell (not in the same way certainly) and it makes perfect sense that Herzog got attracted to this story. In the hands of any other director this would have been nothing but a freak show easily mocking Treadwell, which indeed is just a very easy target.

But in the hands of Mr Herzog the whole story adquires different layers of complexity. Oh sure, Treadwell was a nutcase, no doubt there, but a very interesting nutcase to watch. Herzog presents the crude cold facts, nothing more.