Review of Tarnation (2003) by Daniel P — 26 May 2008
An extremely unique, deeply personal and very affecting documentary, Tarnation was made for under $300 and is comprised of home movies, telephone messages, photo montages, some 'dramatic re-enactments', candid footage and pieces of 80's pop-culture TV and music.
If ever a film deserved one of those 'Originality of Vision' awards, then this is it. Jonathan Caouette expertly constructs all the elements in a stunningly visual way with at times almost Lynchian surrealism, but the film is never less than heartrending.
A filmic love-letter to Caouette's mother and a powerful documentary about the destructiveness of mental illness, Tarnation has redefined the possibilities of what a low-budget film can achieve and is a mesmerizing experience.
This review of Tarnation (2003) was written by Daniel P on 26 May 2008.
Tarnation has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
