Should you watch Tarnation?
Who it’s good for, who it isn’t, and what’s in it. No ratings, no scores.
Tarnation
Documentary · 2003
Filmmaker Jonathan Caouette's documentary on growing up with his schizophrenic mother -- a mixture of snapshots, Super-8, answering machine messages, video diaries, early short films, and more -- culled from 19 years of his life.
The sides of Tarnation
- A son filming his mother's mental illness
- Home movies, photos and answering machine messages
- Growing up gay in Texas
Tarnation is good for you if…
- you want a true life told by the person who lived it.
- you're drawn to the bond between a son and a mother who is ill.
- you like a collage of snapshots, Super 8 and video diaries.
Tarnation is bad for you if…
- you can't face abuse, mental illness and electroshock on screen.
- you need some hope and an ending that lifts you up.
About: mental illness · a mother and her son · memory
Closest to Tarnation
More like this
Flee 2021Good for you if you want a true story told by the person who lived it.
Little Girl 2020Good for you if you like a family standing together around one child.
Bully 2011Good for you if you want to hear bullied kids and their parents in their own words.
Mommy Dead and Dearest 2017Good for you if you want the Gypsy Rose Blanchard case from the people who lived it.
The Act 2019Good for you if you want to understand a true crime from inside the house.
Beware the Slenderman 2016Good for you if you want to understand how an online story led to a real crime.