When Yaniv Schulman “Nev” takes a photograph of dancers, it is published in a high profile newspaper. Three weeks after publication he receives a painting from an 8-year-old girl called Abby. Nev starts talking to Abby first through email, then via Facebook, as their friendship blossoms Abby converts more and more of Nev’s photographs into paintings, and sends him prints of the finished work. Nev is impressed with Abby’s talent and soon begins talking to Abby’s mother Angela. But this friendship does not end there; the friendship soon extends to the whole family, and with Abby’s older sister maybe something a little more. Despite the thousands of miles that separates them, Megan and Nev’s relationship really blooms, with consistent phone calls and emails, Megan even records songs and sends them too him. Everything is looking perfect, when one night Nev discovers something rather unpleasant online that takes the story down a much darker path.
Catfish has all the hallmarks of being an incredibly gripping movie thriller, of course the curveball here is that this is not a work of fiction, but of fact. This documentary picks up after the contact with Nev and Abby has begun, and watches as the events uncover.
There has been a lot of praise and criticism of Catfish, it seems its either loved or hated, with a strong arm of those least impressed claiming that the movie was staged. Personally I think if the movies events had been staged it would have been better edited together. Despite the fact that the two people following Nev’s adventures (one of whom is his brother) are “professional” film-makers it still seems very amateurish for large quantities, camerawork is very shaky, and at times the audio not that great.
In light of my negative issues in my last paragraph, I have to say I was thoroughly impressed with Catfish, despite the fact I could accurately plot out the whole movie from start to finish, did not make it any less enjoyable. The story is very typical of a number of Internet “pairings” that you or someone you know will be familiar with. I wont obviously divulge events but Catfish accurately the dangers of interacting with people over the Internet, and chiefly through social networking websites, it’s a warning, but a warning that does not end too negatively. While the film clearly shows the dark side of the human soul, it also shows the charity, and kindness of those involved, and does leave you asking the question what would you have done if you had been in Nev’s shoes, how would you react, how would you feel?
Catfish is by far the most superior movie released documentary I have seen for some considerable time, the fact that you are reading this shows you are active on the Internet, this movie reminds you about taking what you see online, and applying crisp and clear common sense. And if your having thoughts of taking things to another level, then get yourself access to this movie quick sharp!
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