Review of Tarnation (2003) by Jer M — 15 Jun 2008

I've held off a bit on making my thoughts on this film known because it seems as if every third person I run into has some sort of connection to the filmmaker, who apparently is from my hometown.

I enjoy a good personal documentary like the next guy. Stan Brakhage is a favorite and Maya Deren definitely shares some of the same spirit, I feel. Yet, I feel like Tarnation was sort of playing the whole "My life is so MIIIIISERABLLLLLEEEEEE!!!!!!" card despite some impressive editing work and a decent soundtrack. As a personal film, it is perhaps TOO personal as it cannot really look out from within. It sort of holds Jonathan Caouette's life above all others, to the point where you start thinking about the positives in his situations. Sure, he has had a rough life, but he sort of rubs it in your face with this film.