anti-[everything]

Since the wife and I have had Netflix, we've watched more documentaries that you possibly imagine. I wouldn't say I'm a fan of the genre; documentaries can be interesting, but just as often they can be as inept as any of the garbage normally at the movies. The worst of them is like listening to someone explain an interesting and complex topic to you, but they're too dumb to grasp the basic concepts. Basically, a bad one is like reading a blog: pointless.

This weekend we saw Confessions of a Superhero. The movie is about street performers, some say panhandlers, in Hollywood that dress up like superheros. The film's synopsis describes it as

CONFESSIONS OF A SUPERHERO explores the fascination, obsession and allure of fame through the eyes of some very unique people struggling to make it in Tinseltown.

...

This deeply personal look into their daily routines reveals their hardships and triumphs as they pursue and achieve their own kind of fame.

These people are looking for fame, stardom, or at least a step towards an acting career beyond the street level. What the film impressed upon me, though, was the strong desire these people have to escape their own situations. Each one of them is living in some sort of fantasy, to different degrees, about where they are, where they're going, and how they'll get there. I don't say that to slight them because I think this is an overwhelming common but unrecognized condition. I know a plenty of people whose dreams stretch beyond their talents. Some of them are still pursuing those dreams despite the evidence they encounter. When do you give up? When do you start looking for something else? Is it heroic or tragic to persist?

What's interesting about the street performers is the seeming willingness of tourists to engage in their illusion. Sure, that might not translate into a "tip." But, calling them "Superman" or "Wonder Woman" seems to validate their act and reinforce the fantasy. I wish the filmmakers had explored that interaction a little more. While the Superheros' reaction to the non-tipping public was evident, I would have liked to see the contrast between people that took them seriously and those that reacted negatively. But, maybe that was a little more potential humiliation than the filmmakers wanted to capture?

Finally, I wonder about the parallel between the tourist public, the superhero's friends and families, and acting industry (eg., Wonder Woman's agent and acting coach). Is their support just patronizing or is it sincere? I don't doubt the support the Superheros give each other. They seem to believe in their mission. But the rest benefit from the Superheros somehow, whether it's money or entertainment they're receiving. Is there an obligation to refuse to partake in a fantasy at some level? Can you support someone too much?

The film is, I think, sincere in it's portrayal and is not mean-spirited. That said, I don't think these people deserve the meanness they might otherwise attract.

The worst part of the movie, and this is no fault of the filmmaker, is Morgan Spurlock's introduction to the movie. I found it obnoxious and unnecessary. I don't think it fit well with the film's tone. But what do I know? I'm not a documentarian.¹

Anyway, you should see this film.²

[posted with ecto]

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