Grizzly Man
As a credible Documentary—No way! As a plot for a Mockumentary—Absolutely!
By Jan Stetter
QCFMag.com
Grizzly Man has been billed as a documentary. It is the story of Timothy Treadwell, a forty-six year old man who proclaimed himself an advocate for the grizzly bears living in Katmai National Park, Alaska, and his companion Amie Huguenard. After spending thirteen summers of adulating his beloved bears, both were viciously killed by the very animal Treadwell had dedicated his life to protect.
A mockumentary is defined as a parody using actors with improvised stories. A documentary is defined as giving a factual presentation in an artistic form. Grizzly Man falls into neither of these categories. As an idea for a mockumentary it is credible. As a documentary it fails royally.
Over one hundred hours of film footage recovered after Treadwell’s demise, served to show a man who single-mindedly appointed himself champion of one of nature’s most magnificent and dangerous animals. Where is Treadwell’s authorization or certified credentials to be proclaimed an advocate to the bear? What formal, accredited studies were earned by Timothy Treadwell to commune with the grizzly bears?
The true delusions and idiocy Mr. Treadwell displayed in his film shows breathtaking natural scenery and footage of a lost soul. All point to an eccentric man who lost reality.
Incredulously, it must be stated that this film was nominated and won several awards from film festivals worldwide. Are the people who vote for these awards as beguiled as the people who profited from making this documentary?
Treadwell abdicated any sense of credibility when, he passionately follows a female bear immediately after she has relived her bowel and he places both hands into the animal’s excrement. Treadwell then has his friend film him as he exults, “I am one with you. I feel the heat from your body. I feel a part of you as I touch your droppings, I love you! I love you, bear.”
Earlier he films an episode of two males fighting over a female. Once again the victor bear relieves himself as he viciously attacks the weaker bear. When the fight is over, Timothy talks into the camera telling the weaker bear that he can relate to defeat --something to the effect, “Don’t sweat it buddy, I’ve been rejected before. And I understand how you feel! Why looking at that beauty (pointing to the female bear) I would certainly compare her to Michelle Pfeiffer.”
This is not to suggest this movie lacks entertainment. The amateur photography of the Alaskan wildlife is breathtaking. The true life coroner, the former girl friends and Timothy’s parents all could have readily been played by any number of actors from successful mockumentaries.
For all you bear lovers--sorry for finding humor in this tragedy. For me that is more honest and a better tribute than idolizing a man that was too far gone to realize his own limitations.
Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard were merely lunch for that bear.
Perhaps that is the crux of the criticism; Timothy Treadwell did as Timothy Treadwell pleased as if his self-righteous beliefs justified his commitment to the bears. So why make a film that admires such audacity and blind faith where the outcome is so devastating?
Timothy Treadwell was not a hero. Giving credence to this film as an example of a factual presentation in an artistic form is ludicrous.
Having trouble making decisions about whether a movie is worth it? "To See or Not To See" reviews movies each week on Monday. Contact
jans@queencityforum.com
By Jan Stetter
QCFMag.com
Grizzly Man has been billed as a documentary. It is the story of Timothy Treadwell, a forty-six year old man who proclaimed himself an advocate for the grizzly bears living in Katmai National Park, Alaska, and his companion Amie Huguenard. After spending thirteen summers of adulating his beloved bears, both were viciously killed by the very animal Treadwell had dedicated his life to protect.
A mockumentary is defined as a parody using actors with improvised stories. A documentary is defined as giving a factual presentation in an artistic form. Grizzly Man falls into neither of these categories. As an idea for a mockumentary it is credible. As a documentary it fails royally.
Over one hundred hours of film footage recovered after Treadwell’s demise, served to show a man who single-mindedly appointed himself champion of one of nature’s most magnificent and dangerous animals. Where is Treadwell’s authorization or certified credentials to be proclaimed an advocate to the bear? What formal, accredited studies were earned by Timothy Treadwell to commune with the grizzly bears?
The true delusions and idiocy Mr. Treadwell displayed in his film shows breathtaking natural scenery and footage of a lost soul. All point to an eccentric man who lost reality.
Incredulously, it must be stated that this film was nominated and won several awards from film festivals worldwide. Are the people who vote for these awards as beguiled as the people who profited from making this documentary?
Treadwell abdicated any sense of credibility when, he passionately follows a female bear immediately after she has relived her bowel and he places both hands into the animal’s excrement. Treadwell then has his friend film him as he exults, “I am one with you. I feel the heat from your body. I feel a part of you as I touch your droppings, I love you! I love you, bear.”
Earlier he films an episode of two males fighting over a female. Once again the victor bear relieves himself as he viciously attacks the weaker bear. When the fight is over, Timothy talks into the camera telling the weaker bear that he can relate to defeat --something to the effect, “Don’t sweat it buddy, I’ve been rejected before. And I understand how you feel! Why looking at that beauty (pointing to the female bear) I would certainly compare her to Michelle Pfeiffer.”
This is not to suggest this movie lacks entertainment. The amateur photography of the Alaskan wildlife is breathtaking. The true life coroner, the former girl friends and Timothy’s parents all could have readily been played by any number of actors from successful mockumentaries.
For all you bear lovers--sorry for finding humor in this tragedy. For me that is more honest and a better tribute than idolizing a man that was too far gone to realize his own limitations.
Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard were merely lunch for that bear.
Perhaps that is the crux of the criticism; Timothy Treadwell did as Timothy Treadwell pleased as if his self-righteous beliefs justified his commitment to the bears. So why make a film that admires such audacity and blind faith where the outcome is so devastating?
Timothy Treadwell was not a hero. Giving credence to this film as an example of a factual presentation in an artistic form is ludicrous.
Having trouble making decisions about whether a movie is worth it? "To See or Not To See" reviews movies each week on Monday. Contact
jans@queencityforum.com
posted by Queen City Forum Mag @ 12:39 PM
2 Comments:
At 3:57 PM ,
Someone said...
Jan,
Please provide a list of your credentials.
Where is your authorization or certified credentials to be proclaimed a film critic? What formal, accredited studies have you engaged?
At 1:51 PM ,
Unknown said...
Jan,
Thanks so much for your insight about this film. I watched it last night and I was thoroughly confused as it seemed like a very poorly acted mockumentary and yet I had the eerie feeling that perhaps, it was horribly mellow-dramatic documentary!!
I still can't believe that all these characters are for real! It would have only been mildly funny had it been satirical, but instead it gushes with embellishment and it leaves one feeling thoroughly creeped out; not by the bears, but rather by the people who exploited a man's experience.
Cheers,
Ian
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home