Review of Tarnation (2003) by Ed Fucking H — 09 May 2011

A really unique documentary about one man, his psychologically damaged mother and their dysfunctional family. The film is made up of old home movies, pop cultural snippets, video diaries, photographs etc.

This style works due to the excellent editing job from Jonathan Caouette, and the end result is a surreal, sometimes disturbing and usually very sad walk through Caouette's shoes. That being said, while the film is a brave and original accomplishment that has done things no other films have really even attempted before, the feeling at the end of the movie is a mixed one.

I agree with some user's who feel that this is a work of narcissism and pretention. I have mixed feelings about being subjected to this man's intimate and personal life, even if he is okay with it.

While the movie is far from a failure it's not the kind of movie your really going to want to re-watch. Intresting, original, emotional for sure, but the nature of what this movie is still left a bad taste in my mouth.