Outstanding. raw human emotion and resilience. art that reaches beyond what words can communicate, cutting to the depth of human suffering. by letting us in if only for a short time, what we learn, will remain forever with us. what they model for us, we can only hope to achieve.

Great film that really goes into deep abyss of a really crazy upbringing. This film is a great part of Jonathan Caouette's healing process.

A brilliant film that is clearly the work of a self-indulgent filmmaker who isn't afraid to show himself and his family with brutal honesty, even when doing so illuminates his own foibles.

What struck me so much about Tarnation was that it wasn't merely a film, but a piece of someone's history. While Tarnation was a great documentary in its own right, Cauoette, while very self indulgent and melodramatic at times, is whom truly needs to be applauded for the poignancy and courage with which he has created this film. Tarnation must be seen by people who have gone through the same sort of emotional process presented, as I have, in order to fully embrace the subtlety and truth of the film. And while iMovie does bear a few flaws within the film, Cauottes overall intentions are able to be seen. Great little film.… Expand

Very personel, a frightning film of mental illness and those effected by it. After the film I thought that I needed more answers but it's meant to be that way. Tough to watch at parts.

Annoyingly avant garde. Very powerful and emotional although parts seemed like filler footage.

Very ogirinal, that's about all i can say for it. Couldn't make it more than 20 minutes through this dreadfully bleak, consistently depressing chain of events. I ahve to agree with the reviewer name d Bunny something who said he felt thoroughly abused, taken advantage of, and even raped by this movie. I am very sorry that someone's life could be so awful. Mine isn't and i guess maybe i just don't have the emapthy sufficient to let the filmaker hijack 90 minutes of an othewise wonderful day to allow me to feel their pain. Be warned: proceed at your own risk.… Expand

Very probably one of the best movies I have ever watched. If its really a documentary it is the best documentary ever, if it is fiction it will still be a movie so strong and heartbreaking that it will change your life - and how many movies actually have the power to influence other peoples lifes so much? Strangely enough, I somehow don't really look forward to any more movies from Jonathan, I simply hope this masterpiece will give Jonathan the peace of mind he deserves.… Expand

Solipsistic bore. mean-spirited in the cornering of the granparents on film. as if they're equipped to deal with his on camera accusatory questions. another failed actor who turns the camera on himself (see Super-Size me for the other one.)

This film started so strongly; I was mesmerized by the visuals, the Low soundtrack, the edginess--yet compassion it contained in those first 15 minutes. Then it soared downhill. A real shame--because this should have been a masterpiece judging from the promise of the opening. Instead, it becomes Caouette's song of himself--a music video walking on the wild side. All the fancy effects, groovy camerawork and nifty music can't make up for narrative that disappears. Characters appear and disappear so quickly, one has no chance of making a connection. Except Caouette himself--and his obvious need for validation. That, perhaps is the final impression of this film. It feels insincere exploitive in the end.… Expand

It was one of the best documenterys I've seen in a while plus it got my grade in school out of the trash can.

This film has some good moments, but it is unfocused. there are long surreal clips that occur simultaneously and often nonsensically. it is not nearly a masterpiece, its too much of a mess. maybe its a critic's film, because i love unique and intelligent films and i was not turned off by the depressing subject matter, but i found this film to be amateur-ish and badly edited. some material was very irrelevant and self-indulgent.… Expand

What would you feel if you have the possibilitie of watch your life on TV?. This film is astonishing

This was a life defining film experience. Please see this moving - make connections to your own lived experience. You will be challenged, disgusted, moved, and changed.

From his own personal agony, Jonathan Caouette accomplishes a film that is poignant, original, and artistic. The work is as inspirational as it is painful.

Brilliant in its own twisted little way, but one of the most extremely painful films I've ever had to watch. For craft, this deserves an 8. As an actual experience, I have never felt closer to being viciously assaulted by a film, violated, raped, tortured. Viewing this film is unpleasant as all hell and if I had gone alone I would have walked out halfway through. If you go see this, expect the rest of your day to be ruined. Don't expect any resolution at the end--this is a documentary about a tortured life that doesn't get better, and it makes a great case for the world being a horrible, insane and hellish place.… Expand

A colorful and thought-provoking work that is interesting yet painful to watch. This is the kind of reality that is better than fiction and whose story should be told. I enjoyed the written narration immensely. However, the editing of the film's audio and video severely diminishes an otherwise interesting story. The editing overemphasizes already painful but necessary points of his life that convey their strong message without such editing treatment. If the film were edited down to exclude many (but certainly not all) of the unnecessary surreal clips and if many of the home movie clips were shortened, I would have rated this film an 8. … Expand

Not worthy of a feature film. I started checking my watch at the 75 minute mark. Too self-indulgent. Never be your own editor.

I gave this a 9 to keep it from the god-like film experience I think the hype is going for. Nonetheless, this is an extremely intense movie. At times it seemed a bit self-indulgent, but beyond the forced and contrived moments that were scarce but present, Jonothan Caouette brings forth a documentary at its most brutal and raw stage. There are certain scenes that are simply chilling and unnerving. I saw it two days in a row just to be able to fully digest the experience. I think this is a film that you should not miss, if for nothing else than its place as breaking down some barriers with how a documentary can be made and distributed.… Expand

Remarkably self-absorbed movie, and over-damatized in almost every respect. A major disappointment.

Despite its surges of engrossing emotion, the work is formulaic and relies more on substantial editing flairs than content and originality.

Formally a brilliant film - I was rivetted for the first twenty minutes or so, then increasingly disturbed by Caouette's narcissism. The real subject of the film wasn't his mother, but himself. Grisly voyeuristic pleasure in watching some of the amazing footage - and fantastic what he does with the computer; the way the genre boudaries are completely opened up (video diary, music clip, underground movie, art video...). I was left feeling manipulated and simultaneously spellbound and disgusted.… Expand