So What Does “Catfish” Really Mean?

               “Catfish” seems to be the new sample flavor everyone wants to get a taste from.  Why is it all that appealing anyway?  First off, “Catfish” depicts one of today’s greatest inventions; the internet.  Without the internet, a so called catfish would not even exist.  Second, it’s a documentary.  So the events that take place including minor details must all be true…right?

                They say “don’t let anyone tell you what it is”.  This must be because the spoiler is something no one would ever expect.  The film does a great job of misleading the audience on a roller coaster of emotions only to find out what the mysterious Catfish is at the end.  Real events are portrayed and real feelings come about throughout the entire film.  Not only does “Catfish” serve to leave the audience with satisfaction but also to make them question what they are really capable of.

  This film is simply a documentary of a photographer named Nev and his online relationship between a mysterious “Abby”.  His two friends thought it would be interesting to film Nev’s every Facebook comment, every text message and every phone call.   Abby is a young girl who is passionate about Nev’s photography and sends him a painted picture of one of his photographs.  From then on, they are pen pals and a fun bond starts to transpire.  As the relationship progresses and more and more people get involved, the story takes a twisted turn.

                The trailer for this film is somewhat misleading.  It almost looks as if it should be a horror movie.   The marketing for “Catfish” is aimed entirely at the wrong audience and could change one’s opinion to go see the film.  People who like sitting at the edge of their seat will want to go see it.  People who don’t like thrillers will probably not take a chance.   Either way, one must go without knowing too much information because the spoiler at the end is one to look forward to.

                If you’re into social networking like the other 500 million people that are registered on Facebook, there is a chance you will like “Catfish”.  It represents what social networking is able to do; form real relationships with real people.  Today, if you are on Facebook, chances are you are friends with people you know and people you don’t know.  Then there are those people that you develop a one on one connection with.

                Is “Catfish” all it seems to be? Take a risk and go see the film.  It can’t hurt.  It can only open one’s eyes to the reality behind social networking and the truth in society’s technological advances.  One text message, one Facebook comment, one phone call can all lead up to an unexplainable event: one that will never be forgotten.

                True events depict life’s lessons.  Although the ending was extremely shocking, it was also very subtle.  There is a message behind the entire film and in order to appreciate it, one must be open-minded.  “Catfish” grabs the audience by the hand and walks them through a remarkable experience.  After receiving a tiny taste of Nev’s story, “Catfish” will make you want your own story.  So what does “Catfish” really mean?