Review of I Think We're Alone Now (2008) by Emma P — 25 Mar 2012

I am really surprised this documentary did not receive that much press, because it is really hypnotic and how bizarre and even how human it can be. The film documents the mania that appears in certain superfans by examining two obsessive fans of 80's pop star Tiffany; one is a Asperger's-afflicted man in his 50s and the other is a hermaphrodite in its 30's.

Considering both of them have an ailment of some sort they make for a fascinating sight to behold, but perhaps the most remarkable element of the documentary is how much sensitivity it brings to both people.

Most people would classify them as stalkers, and on some level this is certainly valid. But surprisingly enough there is never an impression either person, despite how emotionally aggressive they might get at times you never feel they would be a danger to Tiffany.

More than anything you feel a sense of sadness for both men and their inability to recognize their fixation on Tiffany is far from healthy. The film isn't shot particularly well, instead using the editing to really bring the story to life in a way strong way.

Probably the detail that makes it most compelling is that both people are legitimately compelling figures; neither of them seemed to have a lot of love from people in their lives very often, and it is almost easy to see why they would be unhealthy in their fixation.

One sign of a quality documentary is one that can make you identify with behavior you never thought you could connect with. This documentary does so with obsessive fandom; it isn't so much about their obsession with the singer; its more about two clearly troubled people who have never really consistently felt love from others and therefore the synthetic love they experienced through song became very real to them.