Incidente em Loch Ness

Like a big budget Blair Witch Project this is a clever and amusing con job that shows the manipulative power of the documentary but as the film becomes more and more preposterous and the con becomes more obvious the joke goes a bit flat.

Lately the documentary genre has been messed with royally with blending opinion and personal agenda with fact mainly for entertainment value ala Michael Moore and Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me, but this one side steps in yet another direction and seems to me to be satirizing the whole mocumentary process which would make it a joke within a joke and a true original. It's not entirely clear if this is the intent of the film, which only adds to the enigma. I like to think it is.

It is refreshing to see a legend like Herzog willing to poke fun at his own obsessive reputation and it's his charismatic presence that carries the film.

I don't know when the mocumentary first showed up in film but one of the first I recall that's well worth checking out if you like this sort of thing is Woody Allen's great from 1983: Zelig.

I knew nothing walking into this film and was treated to a delightful and funny experience. A documentary following a crew on it's hunt for Nessie. Besides the fun in the quest of the premise, the crew is entertaining in itself. Werner Herzog is such an interesting person and filled with so many interesting insights into film-making.

By the end, I laughed, I was scared and I didn't want the film to end. I highly recommend this film and I plan to see it again as I laughed through a few parts of the movie. Go see it!

Who knew that Werner Herzog – the director of "Aguirre: the Wrath of God", "Fitzcarraldo", and other weighty dramas -- could do comedy? Herzog proves it here in Zak Penn's terrific send-up of "the making of the movie" documentary.

"Incident at Loch" purports to document a film Herzog sets out to make in Scotland about the Loch Ness monster. Overseeing the production is Penn, a successful screenwriter. Along for the ride are a famous cinematographer, an Academy award winning sound man, a Playboy model, and a radio controlled six-foot "Nessie."

Penn puts it all together in a clever, inventive way. The result is one of the most original – and funniest – movies of the year.

Visionary director Werner Herzog has explored innumerable landscapes throughout his career, from the wilds of Africa to the jungles of South America and the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. His latest project 'Enigma Of Loch Ness' takes him to the Scottish Highlands, where he plans to examine the myth of the Loch Ness Monster. Alongside him, a documentary crew- led by intrepid producer Zak Penn- film the proceedings as 'Enigma' goes into production. Though Herzog steadfastly disbelieves in the legend of Nessie, it seems that under the waters of the Loch something is stirring; something which may doom both productions to the cinematic shallows.

'Incident at Loch Ness' is a funny mockumentary that satirizes the documentary format, as well as the public persona of the great Werner Herzog. Zak Penn's directorial debut, the film humorously portrays the notion of cinéma vérité as a Sisyphean ideal, also showing how the sensationalist machinations of producers and moneymen can hamper the filmmaking process. Though occasionally the jokes feel a tad on the nose and the narrative loses some impetus in the latter half; the comedy comes fast and frequent, and will assuredly have you laughing throughout.

As will the caricature the film offers of Werner Herzog. Playing into and sending up his reputation as a profound, determined, borderline obsessive eccentric, the film's version of the director is not an over-the-top creation; more of a slyly, wryly heightened one (obviously written by someone with great admiration and affection for the man). Herzog's performance as himself is a masterclass in understated comedy. He exaggerates his mannerisms and style of speech subtly, never once verging into the overblown. The antics the film's Herzog engage in are madcap at times, but always played completely straight and in keeping with his established character, and his dialogue is consistently comical. It is a delight to see Herzog play such an amusing version of himself, and you'll surely remember his performance fondly.

Less impressive are the supporting characters, both in terms of writing and performance. While the central figure of Herzog is amusing, the ostensible co-star of 'Incident at Loch Ness' Zak Penn is considerably less so. His caricature as a desperate producer insistent on cliches and sensationalist tactics is a one-note, irritating creation, and Penn's performance as same is mediocre at best. The other characters are underwritten, so that talents like Russell Williams II and Gabriel Beristain are left with relatively little to do.

On the technical side, the film easily impresses. Like the best mockumentaries, such as 'This Is Spinal Tap' or 'Bob Roberts,' 'Incident at Loch Ness' doesn't overdo the technical conventions of documentary features, such as adding unnecessarily shaky cameras or grainy footage in an attempt to give the film a look grounded in realism. Instead, John Bailey's cinematography is reserved, professional and muted; in keeping with the actual style and look of documentaries. Abby Schwarzwalder and Howard E. Smith's editing must also be mentioned, as their consummate work adds to the effectiveness of the film's masquerade as truth.

Though it is not in the same league as 'This Is Spinal Tap,' 'Incident at Loch Ness' is a funny mockumentary centered around a cinematic giant that is easy to watch and enjoy. Featuring a great self-parodying performance from Werner Herzog and an assured visual style, the film has plenty to boast about; though it also has its' detractions. The supporting cast aren't particularly impressive and the narrative and its' characters are unevenly written. However, it's got plenty of moments that'll have you laughing, and for any fan of Herzog, it's a must watch. In short, 'Incident at Loch Ness' is something of a mixed bag; but one with treasures a-plenty for the discerning viewer.

The previous user who compared this film to the 'Fishing With John' series has it down fabulously. However, I have to disagree that you need to know anything about Herzog to enjoy the film. All you need to know is supplied in the very deftly-handled exposition.

I'd also compare it to LOST IN LA MANCHA... except, well. And it's kinda like WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, but... but mostly, it's very like THE BL-... well, I should shut up.

All I can say is that the film is proof that there is *something* to this latest onslaught of documentaries. There is great value in the language they use to convey a story and the self-reflexive possibilities are now endless, thanks to Zak Penn.

See this film.