The Amazing Johnathan is a stand-up comedian and magician who was at his height in the 1980's and 90's. This month, the Amazing Johnathan turns 61 years old. His birthday is notable because back in 2007, he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition, which doctors say threatened his life and forced him to retire before the age of 50. It was presumed that he would not live long. His condition eventually got worse, but, more than ten years after his diagnosis, the Amazing Johnathan is still alive. After a few years, the Amazing Johnathan decided to come out of retirement and tour the country again or tour comedy clubs. Filmmaker Benjamin Berman who works mainly with comedians heard about this and wanted to follow him with cameras in order to make a documentary about his comeback and his possible death. Unfortunately, things took a turn and instead of being a film about the Amazing Johnathan, Berman's story became more about himself and more about the art of making documentary films.
It becomes one of those twisty documentaries in the vein of
Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010) and
Catfish (2010). It presents an interesting dilemma for people interested in filmmaking. I'm not sure though that this film is as illuminating or as insightful a character study or exploration as those two aforementioned 2010 films. It follows a mystery that feels contrived and is only the result of slight miscommunication. It culminates in a dramatic moment that's trumped up and feels almost manufactured. However, it's perhaps more open about its trumped up nature than most reality TV shows on Bravo or anywhere else.
It's not a spoiler to say that the first turn in this film is that Berman thinks he's the only one making a documentary about the Amazing Johnathan. However, he's surprised when almost out of nowhere another camera crew arrives at an event and they say they're making a documentary about the Amazing Johnathan too. Of course, this can't be the first time multiple camera crews have tried to make documentaries or do some video-based media on a subject or famous person. This idea was spoofed a decade or so ago in Lisa Kudrow's series
The Comeback (2005).
The dilemma becomes what does Berman do when he basically has to compete for the Amazing Johnathan's attention and his story, especially when the Amazing Johnathan has put him on the backburner. There is also a question of whether or not the Amazing Johnathan is being truthful to Berman about his illness. It's a trumped up allegation that Johnathan could be lying. Berman seems sincere about his mistrust or misgivings, but if anything, this film becomes about a filmmaker losing his way and possibly not being able to handle it. It is the definition of navel-gazing, but Berman cuts it all together in a fun and funny fashion, so that at least it's never boring.
Rated TV-MA.
Running Time: 1 hr. and 30 mins.
Available on Hulu.
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