Review of My Kid Could Paint That (2007) by J D — 16 Mar 2008

A fascinating documentary that explores both the story around a possible art hoax, but maybe more importantly, the nature of truth and art and documentaries themselves. Personally, after watching this, I wouldn't trust the dad or the gallery owner any farther than I could throw 'em, and that the mom became an unwitting participant who, by the time a question does arise as to the authenticity of her daughter's work, has too much to lose by questioning that validity.

But the more interesting aspect of this one is how the director himself slowly becomes a part of the story as he begins to doubt the little girl's talents himself. The scene where the family watches the damning "60 Minutes" interview is a watershed moment in the film and extremely uncomfortable to watch.

This would be a great one to watch to compare with the inferior "Girl 27". In "My Kid", the director reluctantly becomes a part of the story, but it adds to the ideas behind the documentary in the first place, as opposed to "Girl", where the director crassly inserts himself into the story from the beginning.

Regardless of the truth, if the family can bilk the idle rich out of tens of thousands of dollars, more power to them.