Review of Grizzly Man (2005) by Nicholas H — 07 Feb 2009

"Grizzly Man" is as challenging of a documentary as i've ever seen. It's about a guy that the film doesn't completely sympathize with, about nature which the director reacts all but sentimentally about, and it's a subject matter that leaves the viewer unsure whether it's admirable or psychotic. On one hand, we don't see any possible way that Timothy Treadwill could be happier. In many confessionals, he vents about the problems with the real world. On the other, however, his carelessness lead him and an innocent woman (who evidence suggests didn't want to be there) to be eaten. "Grizzly Man" piles questions one on top of the other and never declares a finalized or morally-correct answer. For that, it'll linger with you longer than most films ever will.

Directed by veteran filmmaker Werner Herzog, "Grizzly Man" tells the story of an eccentric environmentalist named Timothy Treadwill. For thirteen consecutive summers, Timothy ventured out into a remote area in Alaska and lived with the grizzly bears. Eventually he started taking a camera, and even his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard (yet he denies her existence on film). In October of 2003, Treadwell had arrived back to the "Grizzly Maze" later in the year than usual on account of an argument at an airport. Shortly after he and Amie arrived back in the wilderness, they were eaten by a grizzly. To a rationale mind, it was inevitable. However, a rational mind would have never imagined you could live with bears for as long as Treadwill did.

The best parts of "Grizzly Man" are Timothy's own recordings. At times he's extremely charming and humorous, such as when he goes on about how he wishes he was gay - but, alas, tragically he's not. At other times, such as when he spouts dozens of swears at the government, you question his sanity. I, for one, admired Timothy in a way. He was clearly passionate and was doing what he loved. However, there's absolutely no way of defending the final outcome, and no matter how much you loved Timothy you're left thinking he shouldn't have been there in the first place.

Herzog focuses the majority of the film on Timothy's death. Because of this, Treadwill's footage is a terrifyingly eerie foreshadow. At one point in the film, Herzog is granted permission to listen to the audio of Treadwill's death. I've read that some people would have liked to hear this tape. All I will say that is by watching Herzog's expression and hearing the horrors described, I can't think of a single thing I would like to hear less.

"Grizzly Man" works because of how much it lets the viewer fill in the blanks. Herzog provides his insight, suggesting nature being defined by chaos, however he's always challenging us to think beyond that. This is a beautifully put together film that further provides evidence that the documentary is still the great underrated genre by mainstream American audiences. I was disturbed by this film and awfully conflicted, and that type of emotional response is all you can ask for in film. It challenges you and never gives you definitive answers. Masterful filmmaking.