This is the first documentary that I've reviewed, and I have to admit that I'm not quite sure how to proceed. I can either just tell you to see this film, because it is brilliant, or I can give away all of its secrets. I think I would prefer to do the former.

My sister alerted me to this film, and I'm so glad that she did. I love a good documentary and Catfish did not disappoint. Directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman recognized a story developing when Ariel's brother, photographer Yaniv ("Nev"), received a painting (based on one of Nev's published photos) from an 8-year old girl and began an online friendship with the girl and her family.

What develops is an intriguing unfolding of events, all made possible by one of the greatest signs of our times - Facebook. The filmakers work today's technology into the fabric of the film itself, adding a layer of meaning and texture to an already fascinating story line.

While Nev is the focus of the film, the story is carried along and includes the two filmakers as well. All three are charming, good-looking 24-year-olds who are fully engaged in the story and, while they let us see some of their internal issues, they don't make them the focus of the film.

What makes this a great documentary is that it follows a simple rule in storytelling: show, don't tell. The filmakers shine a bright light on the fantasy that is our online world while taking us along on their truth-finding mission. Perhaps without meaning to, they have left us with the age-old question: Does life imitate art or art imitate life?

Leave a comment | More Movie Reviews