Review of Tarnation (2003) by Adam P — 17 Mar 2008

Powerful.

I expected so many things from it and it gave a lot more than I expected. It may be a little bit on the "experimental/amateur" side but that's not a bad thing. Jonathan Caouette had something to say about a touchy family issue and he has the guts to say it. But, against all expectations, this is not just a film about an ill mother but about growing up. It doesn't matter if Jonathan grew up in a sick environment, he turned out completely fine and mature as a result of it and that's the true spirit of the film: no matter how sick the world is, you can change it around you.

Or maybe even: that which doesn't kill me, can only make me stronger. Whatever the message of the film is, it's a powerful statement on how life sometimes is the most magnificent piece of art there is.

This film (or at least its history and trailer) inspired me to make my first shortfilm as I owned a Mac with iMovie and this movie was edited with that program and had a tremendous success. So I said: "Ey, what the hell? Right?"... and the rest is history...