Review of Incident at Loch Ness (2004) by Denny R — 08 Jun 2006

Famed filmmaker Werner Herzog teams with block-buster script-writer turned first-time-producer Zak Penn to make a documentary about why people believe in the existence of the Loch Ness monster, and a documentary crew making a film about Herzog is along for the ride. What unfolds is a clash of earnest creativity vs. underhanded Hollywood manipulation, and the story of a production that was doomed from the start, but which nonetheless managed to document that existence of the legendary Nessy.

"Incident at Loch Ness" is a fabulous mockumentary that is a send-up of the "making-of" and "what are filmmakers really like" documentaries that have become even more common now with a need for "bonus features" on DVDs. If only the real "making-of" shorts were as interesting as this well-made, very believable send-up.

Herzog in particular was great, spending the first quarter of the film spouting self-congradulating artistic babble, and then continuing to spoof himself and the image of the pig-headed director until he emerges as a hero intent on saving the doomed filmmakers toward the end of the film. Penn is equally delightful as the slimey producer who despite himself sets the production up for failure by never intending to make the movie Herzog wants, by bringing in actors and a Playboy bunny (Baker, who also evokes some prime chuckles when her character is revealed to be opposite what one would expect) to pose as experts for Harzog's fim, and laying the foundation for the worst Nessy hoax ever.

While this film is a bit slow in getting started--the first bit is spent on a lowkey dinner party hosted by Herzog and his Russian wife with quite a few actors and stars you'll recognize in attendance--your patience will be rewarded if you stick with it. It's a necessary bit to establish both Herzog the Artiste and Penn the Producer.

Incident at Loch Ness.

Starring: Werner Herzog, Kitana Baker, Zak Penn, and Michael Karnow.

Director: Zak Penn.