What do you do when you're making a documentary and someone with more funding comes in and scoops your subject? You put them on blast and share the surreal experience of being boned for the world to see. The first documentary (actually the 4th to begin...WTF?!?) is straightforward and not really special, showing Johnathan's career, friendships, and struggles with his fatal diagnosis that he has outlived. This documentary starts with the same motives and then has to find a way to coexist, knowing that it can no longer maintain its original intent. Much like a documentary should, it captures real life, though at times is forcing itself along through prompting. There's a point toward the end where the story of disaster takes a hard turn that's a bit cringeworthy as the director himself admits, he made lots of mistakes in this effort. Not the horrible piece of trash that the rest of these reviewers are making it out to be.
63 Reviews
Derailed by meta elements
ernestsavesxmas12 December 2019
Much of this doc *is* very interesting on the surface. The story of a terminally ill magician who likes to smoke crack? Sign me up! And, perhaps, its meta commentary on the documentary artform and its significance among a deluge of reality-based content is the most interesting element. But the climactic confrontation interview between the principles (director and subject) comes off poorly, and derails all emotional force in the final act. Both men feel like they're acting and neither are actors; the only thing that's clear is that they desperately want the latter to be true. The audience doesn't know what to believe, and not in an interesting, mysterious way. It's rare that "too cute for its own good" is too cute for me, but this one hit that (unfortunate) sweet spot.
A full-length gimmick
doomedmac23 March 2021
Should've changed the title of the movie
blane-4804023 February 2020
So I watched that Hulu amazing Johnathan documentary and I can see why people hate it but I actually think it was decent. TBH it should have a different name. That's probably what threw some people off. It shouldn't be called "the amazing Johnathan documentary" because it doesn't have much to do about his life it more so has to do with this director trying to make a documentary but being blocked by other documentary crews and even Johnathan himself. So I would've called it something like "trying to make an amazing Johnathan documentary". So if you want to watch a movie about the amazing Johnathan then maybe skip this movie since he's not really in it that much but if you want to watch a movie about a film maker struggling to find out what's going on and if he is being screw or not then this movie is solid.
Come in with an open mind, and you just might enjoy it.
sir_sanctorum17 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is a film about life, death, documentaries, social contracts, legal contracts, and questioning all of them.
The Amazing Jonathan is in this film, and is central to the film, but is not ultimately the actual subject of the film. I'd argue this is really a film about the human condition (and a meta commentary on documentaries).
If you want a standard bio pic, go check out "Always Amazing" on YouTube. That's not what you're going to get here.
This film is far from perfect. A lot hinges on the bizarre turns in the story.
At a certain point, I started questioning if the documentary itself was making things up. Was the director editing the film in such a way to portray a story instead of the "real" story? What even is "real" or "fake" when ultimately a documentary is filtered, ultimately, through the lens of one or more other human perspectives?
This film was, at the least, thought provoking.
There's some laugh out loud moments, some tear jerkers, and all around weirdness.
In that sense, it connected with the Amazing Jonathan even if it's not what I went in expecting.
The Amazing Jonathan is in this film, and is central to the film, but is not ultimately the actual subject of the film. I'd argue this is really a film about the human condition (and a meta commentary on documentaries).
If you want a standard bio pic, go check out "Always Amazing" on YouTube. That's not what you're going to get here.
This film is far from perfect. A lot hinges on the bizarre turns in the story.
At a certain point, I started questioning if the documentary itself was making things up. Was the director editing the film in such a way to portray a story instead of the "real" story? What even is "real" or "fake" when ultimately a documentary is filtered, ultimately, through the lens of one or more other human perspectives?
This film was, at the least, thought provoking.
There's some laugh out loud moments, some tear jerkers, and all around weirdness.
In that sense, it connected with the Amazing Jonathan even if it's not what I went in expecting.
The title of this movie is making people angry.....
rollo721 August 2019
Spoiler Alert: This is not a documentary about the Amazing Jonathan, this is a movie about a film maker's attempt to make a documentary about the Amazing Johnathan. People are giving this movie low reviews because it feels like a bait and switch when halfway through the film the focus changes from what we assume are the Amazing Jonathan last days to the director's Ben Berman's plight as a documentary maker. If you go into the film with the understanding that this is not a film about the Amazing Jonathan, you will enjoy the film much much more. The producers would have done a much better job if they had just named it Not The Amazing Johnathan Documentary.
The sad truth
jake_fantom30 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The sad truth is, there isn't enough left of the Amazing Johnathan to make a documentary about. Years of dedicated drug abuse and health problems have flattened his affect, and I'm not sure he was that interesting a performer even before that. I enjoyed his comedy/magic show back in the day, but that's not necessarily the basis for an involving documentary. So, as others here have opined, the documentarian opts to make a documentary about making a documentary - and it is a miserable and unmitigated failure. I think the filmmaker is on camera about five times more often than his subject - and what a truckload of nonsensical angst he would have the audience suffer through with him. We watch what seemed like hours of him driving around in a beat-up car with a look of deep gravitas on his none too camera-friendly face as he tries to figure out how to rescue his documentary from the deep pit of nothingness it has wandered into. What he comes up with is a series of moronic rabbit holes that lead into even more nothing. This is one of those rare occasions when a filmmaking exercise is so flawed, so false, and such a complete waste of time that I add the auteur's name to a relatively brief list of people whose films I will never watch again. Oh, and those 10-star reviews about how the rest of us just don't get the brilliance blah blah blah - those are the usual shills who have some kind of investment in the film, and (I strongly suspect) close relatives of you-know-who. Three stars for a couple of moving candid moments here and there. You've been warned.
Other guys: not getting it
mtbandit-118 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This isn't about The Amazing Jonathan. Well, it is, but not only about him. But that's ok, because "The Amazing Jonathan Documentary" is a title with dual meanings. It could be about Jonathan, but it's also about the Amazing Jonathan documentaries: The one that Nikki could not finish, the one from the filmmakers who claimed to be associated with Simon Chinn but weren't, and the other, from the juggler who also wanted to follow Jonathan around. And it becomes clear that it's not about Jonathan (but sort of is), and it's not about Ben (but it sort of is). It's about the documentary industry and how it's become saturated with wannabe Panabakers and Chinns trying to find a new angle on things that, let's be honest, only a few people care about. Reaching it's most absurd, meta-moment when three different people are pictured filming Jonathan from three different crews. It's a deconstruction. This is Ben Berman's version of the classic Sherman's March, only less contrived, and at least a little more about the titled subject than that film was.
Half Documentary, Half Filler
AngusRocker2219 August 2019
Not a fan of when documentarians turn the camera on themselves and that happened about 30 minutes in. Started off strong, but it just slowly fizzles out over the last hour.
There was a great story to be told here, but unfortunately this doc missed the mark.
There was a great story to be told here, but unfortunately this doc missed the mark.
Fan-friggin-tastic doc!
sagelmadeline29 April 2019
I watched this movie this past weekend at the Boston Independent Film Festival. The entire theater full of people received it so well. The energy in the theater was palpable and you could tell everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. It had a PERFECT mix of mystery, comedy, poignancy, and wonderful story-telling. Ben Berman absolutely nailed this film given his many obstacles and dilemmas while filming. It was funny, entertaining, interesting, and just an overall wonderful watch. I'm giving it a 10 out of 10. There is nothing that could have been done any better.
Bravo, Ben!! I tried to find your email address to write you a direct message, but this is the best I could do. Amazing job at your FIRST EVER FEATURE FILM! You nailed it.
Bravo, Ben!! I tried to find your email address to write you a direct message, but this is the best I could do. Amazing job at your FIRST EVER FEATURE FILM! You nailed it.
Don't waste your time
kwing-5554020 August 2019
Always was a fan of the Amazing Johnathan as a kid growing up and I was so happy they were making a documentary. Then I watched this abomination of a documentary where the director/filmmaker wanted to be seen more than him making a real documentary. I actually hope the other documentary crews were real so maybe we can get a real good movie. Don't waste your time watching this "documentary ", I lost an hour and a half of my life I can never get back!
Had no interest, loved it!
jinshamoore20 August 2019
Director Benjamin Berman made a very special movie. I can't say much more without giving anything away, but I did not expect to enjoy this. My husband had it on because he's an Amazing Johnathan fan from back in the day. I am not a fan & can't say that I am now. But I thoroughly enjoyed this film,. Clever, funny & sweet without being schmaltzy.
It's a work.
mikehannus-275-68781020 August 2019
The doc is a work. If you're not familiar with the term, it means you're being played. Director Berman, as many have stated before, has made it all about himself. Funny he's blurred in the title card, as he appears unobstructed in about 80% of the shots. But worse still is that about a quarter of the way in, it became obvious to me that he was in on the prank. The whole thing feels like an con job cooked up by Ben and Jonathan. I came for inside look at one of my favorite childhood performers, I left with a lot less respect for the meth addict he is and the director who thought this drivel qualified as "gonzo journalism." Hunter S. Thompson he is not.
When life gives you lemons... a documentary about a documentary.. and great story telling!
dan_slentz6 October 2019
Though this documentary sets out to be the story of "the amazing Johnathan", it's a better story about when the subject of the documentary gives you lemons, make lemonade! The subject of the documentary, though interesting, was less interesting to me than Ben Berman who made this documentary.
A lot was occurring in relation to making this, and we feel the struggles that Berman goes through after learning he wasn't the first or even second person making this. Then the question remains on who knew what and, really, who was being hoodwinked about many things.
I give a ton of credit to Berman on the process (and many struggles) in seeing his way to making this, and his VERY clever approach to making this documentary!
This is NOT your "average documentary". Way to go, Ben, with your amazing ability on story telling (and telling the story ABOUT telling a story!!)
If I could go back and not watch it, I would
irmacdonald-7566227 August 2019
I am a fan of documentaries that are factually correct and accurate and this is neither of them. The director turns the documentary from a candid look inside the life of one of the most prolific and notorious magicians in history into an hour and a half insight that he really doesn't have a premise to his documentary. He consistently sites Simon Chinn as the leader of his competing documentary and that he is the little guy bing bullied by this large production team with millions of dollars at their disposal. Fast forward Simon Chinn had no involvement with his competing project nor did the other project have the backing of a major studio. Ben not only had a production studio, he also brought Simon Chinn on as an executive producer towards the end to give himself credibility and it was released through HULU which put considerable marketing behind the project. Ben portrays himself as the odd man out when there are a few other projects going on, in reality he is playing the sympathy card hoping people will make him feel relevant. There are wild inaccuracies in this film with constant contradictions that made it difficult to sit through. This film should be called, "Hey, Look At Me: The Ben Berman Story"
An interesting watch
harryokin5 October 2019
I've never heard of the Amazing Jonathan, I'm not sure anyone in the UK has, thankfully the movie became less and less about him and more and more about making the documentary. I would have stopped watching if it had of been totally about him. With all these kind of films they seem to be made in the edit. It's hard to work out what's true but I enjoyed the overall film and Ben made the film enjoyable.
So bad I couldn't even finish it
deepc18523 August 2019
This "documentary" went downhill fast! From starting off as the story of the life of an entertainer who truly made me laugh out loud, to a bizarre competition between multiple different documentary crews, to a documentary about the guy making the documentary!
If I wanted to watch a documentary about Ben whatever the hell his name was, then this might have been good. But really, other than his friends and family, who cares?
I get that his documentary was submarined and maybe this is a brilliant telling of that story. But that's not what I wanted to see! It's like going to see the newest Star Wars or Avengers movie, and 15 minutes into it the film starts showing you the make up artists and costume designers and how they created the characters!
HUGE disappointment!
Johnathan is a jerk
crhiness23 December 2019
So where's the story about Amazing Jonathan?
rickrbs16 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I was so waiting for this documentary only to be amazingly disappointed. We start out seeing Jonathan and hear from other famous celebrities talking about his contributions to the craft. Then it stops being about the title subject and becomes a story about the director. What? There's another film crew making a different documentary? Then another? Then another still? Do I care that you didn't get an exclusionary contract? Do I care that Jonathan offers anyone a chance to tell his story before he dies? NO! I care about Jonathan. He's the star here! His name is in the title after all. If I wanted to view a story about a filmmaker that didn't do his homework, got his feelings hurt and then accused the subject of lying about his death I would think the film would've had a different title. Please don't give this guy any validation by watching this pathetic attempt at telling an Amazing story.
Wild ride
tlpinbcc17 August 2019
I enjoyed this very unusual documentary. Johnathon is quite the character and totally unapologetic. It is an honest look at the excesses of the industry and how success and behavior can be affected by a medical diagnosis of impending death. Ben's personal story is interwoven brilliantly.
Made me ill...
cheekyfilm5 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
It was both startling and sickening to see a documentary about a dying man that devolves into the filmmaker making it 100% about himself. By the mid-way point you are actually watching scenes from the director's childhood and interviews with his parents, all while he narrates. I was hoping there would be a great reveal or joke by the end, (spoiler) but it ends on a serious note.. I was shocked. The audacity and narcissism of the filmmaker is simply astounding. The film's narrative is basically one-third a document of The Amazing Johnathon's life and diagnosis, and two-third's a document of a filmmaker acting like a jilted lover. The woeful attempt at the end to merge the two narratives is only 5 minutes long and very cringe-worthy.
This documentary was shocking and shameless in all the worst ways. It does a great disrespect to the supposed subject of the film by making the director the star instead, and enduces extreme boredom in the process. It isn't entertaining or informative, serving only as a case study on narcissistic pathology in documentary filmmaking. It gets some stars from me because the first third was actually watchable and there was some decent photography throughout. Avoid.
This documentary was shocking and shameless in all the worst ways. It does a great disrespect to the supposed subject of the film by making the director the star instead, and enduces extreme boredom in the process. It isn't entertaining or informative, serving only as a case study on narcissistic pathology in documentary filmmaking. It gets some stars from me because the first third was actually watchable and there was some decent photography throughout. Avoid.
"It's Déjà vu all over again" - Yogi Berra
jon-890-67706018 August 2019
Tantamount to walking into the 'Hall of Mirrors' the local {annual} state fair, usually held early fall, in virtually every hometown-city USA, and then, w great expectation & abject certainty, spending the next 15-20 minutes, in search of a common-denominator, (before that inevitable carnival-barker appears & shouts.... This Way Folks......This way to The Exit!
Admittedly, although there were a number of jumping off spots, littered throughout this film & met w the temptation to act accordingly... There exists (in all candor), an intrinsic & worthwhile redeeming value, for those that, make the approx., 90-minute time-investment {e.g. Leaving w a deeper understanding & compassion, for experiencing & connecting w humanity}. ...No Foolin'.
Admittedly, although there were a number of jumping off spots, littered throughout this film & met w the temptation to act accordingly... There exists (in all candor), an intrinsic & worthwhile redeeming value, for those that, make the approx., 90-minute time-investment {e.g. Leaving w a deeper understanding & compassion, for experiencing & connecting w humanity}. ...No Foolin'.
Pointless and plotless
naq-120 August 2019
There isn't really a documentary here. It's more like a home movie. The director seems obsessed with his own importance, filming himself and forgetting about the subject. This is one of dozens of such documentaries, and it's giving the genre a bad name. It's getting to the point where all the documentary has to do is to turn the camera around to the person making it to be able to enter Sundance, win an award and get a distributor. I apologize in advance if this destroys anyone who made this project, but when faced with a project as boring as this one, I really have to take a stand and ask for the rest of us, please stop making docs about making a doc. It's tedious at best.
Great movie... but not because of the subject
crhiness23 December 2019
If this was a joke, we missed it
david5153 September 2019
My not-yet-30 son wanted to watch this. He was a fan of The Amazing Jonathan. This turned out not to be much about Jonathan - it's either a joke or it's about the Director. If it's a joke, we both missed it. Jonathan's just a meth addict. Berman, the Director, appears to be pretty dumb. This was a waste of time.
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