Tarnation isn't a movie for everyone. It is a documentary over Jonathan Caouette's life, turned into art somehow. I must say I found it incredibly troubling to watch it. However, I think that this isn't something negative as one may think. Indeed, it proves Jonathan Caouette's success as director in Tarnation - he, as intended, is able to shock the public, to leave them with a feeling of emptiness and stress.
This strange ability to mess with people's feelings isn't necessarily created by the (very strong) story itself. Despite having such an important role, more than the content, the directing IS what matters. The very saturated colors, the score and the varied sequences of images work altogether to leave us uncomfortable.
As said, Jonathan Caouette and his tiny budget succeed, in movie-making terms. But there's much more to think about - is it ethic to exploit mental illness and considerably disturbed people for a movie? Isn't this the next big hit of voyeurism? I suppose it barely respects the principles of ethics and dignity. But it's his family, his life, so hum.
One thing I must say about this movie is that no one should be sentimentally touched. A movie like this doesn't call for commotion, it is very far away from being pure of heart. Indeed, its full of sadomasochist cruelty, it's Jonathan Caouette's very own public masturbation. He exposes himself to voyeurism, and he gets immense pleasure from it, I'm sure. Hello world, I, the twisted, present you my pain.
7/10
This strange ability to mess with people's feelings isn't necessarily created by the (very strong) story itself. Despite having such an important role, more than the content, the directing IS what matters. The very saturated colors, the score and the varied sequences of images work altogether to leave us uncomfortable.
As said, Jonathan Caouette and his tiny budget succeed, in movie-making terms. But there's much more to think about - is it ethic to exploit mental illness and considerably disturbed people for a movie? Isn't this the next big hit of voyeurism? I suppose it barely respects the principles of ethics and dignity. But it's his family, his life, so hum.
One thing I must say about this movie is that no one should be sentimentally touched. A movie like this doesn't call for commotion, it is very far away from being pure of heart. Indeed, its full of sadomasochist cruelty, it's Jonathan Caouette's very own public masturbation. He exposes himself to voyeurism, and he gets immense pleasure from it, I'm sure. Hello world, I, the twisted, present you my pain.
7/10