Tickled Review

[Tinisha]

Tickledis a documentary about power when one is the 'tickler'. Tickled is a documentary about the sudden whiplash from silly to terror when one is the 'ticklee'. Tickled is David Farrier's investigative reporting magnum opus, a deeply engaging ride-along that is darn near impossible to properly review without spoilers. In fact that last sentence, and the two preceding it are probably spoilers to those sensitive about such things.

New Zealand TV Reporter David Farrier makes it his job to look for weird stories to put on the tube as amusing and fun looks at the weirder part of his country. A toad gulping survivalist, a lady who owns more donkeys that one should.

So when he came across a website promising a lavish paycheque and an all expense paid weekend vacation to Los Angeles to participate in a 'Competitive Endurance Tickling' event, one could say his interest was most definitely piqued. When he encounters a hostile firewall in response to a few harmless journalistic enquiries, his interest is enough to take it from a possible news segment to a full out documentary film. He and his co-director, Dylan Reeve (the Q to Farrier's intrepid 007) travel across the world to get to the bottom of tickling fetish videos and the mysterious, deep-pockets wealth that is financing what is apparently a global operation.

Not since crazy Danish filmmaker Mads Brgger infiltrated North Korea under the guise of a comedy sketch act, and later set up a blood diamond smuggling operation in Central African Republic by way of grey market diplomatic credentials has investigative documentary filmmaking felt so quirky and dangerous at the same time. Farrier has a more sensible, modest, personality with an almost romantic penchant for standing up to bullies.

As lawsuits mount into his journalistic digging, and even his own producer threatens to pull the plug, he doubles down in his brash competence. In a film for which the visual style is more practical than flourish, there is a meticulous shot pairing of a dog barking, breath showing against the cold New York winter air at a squirrel paralyzed on a tree trunk. this is intercut with a hawk snatching the squirrel in its talons and flying away. Was it the same squirrel? Does it matter?

Meanwhile, on the soundtrack, Primer and Upstream Color brainy-rabbit-hole-auteur Shane Carruth provides half a dozen creepy electronic tracks, these are carefully calibrated with the films official pair of composers whose upbeat, playful xylophone taps offer an aloof counterpoint.

Circling back to power, money, and information, all things at the end of the Tickled-rainbow, it is clear to me know journalism is far from dead in this new century; it has slyly metastasized into this kind of documentary filmmaking. If there is a moral to this story (and there are several), it might be, don't bully a kiwi with a video camera and some internet savvy. And if there is a corollary to that, it is be careful what documents you put online, because no matter how long the tail, the squirrel will always be eaten by the hawk.

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Now to talk about one of the weirdest, most intriguing, most amazing and just downright brilliant Documentaries I've ever seen.

It's one of those docs that plays like a fiction film. Like a delightfully odd, yet deep and intriguing fiction film but instead it's absolutely true. Which leaves you speechless and your mind well and truly boggled.

I am not even sure how to summarise what this film is about. I am both anxious not to give anything away but also confused as to where to start.

Basically it's about a New Zealand pop culture journalist who does odd little stories about quirky people in NZ. One day he stumbles across the internet video world of extreme, competitive tickling. When he reaches out to the tickling website for an interview he receives a litany of surprisingly bonkers, homophobic hate mail and then, when he decides to make a documentary about it, the personal threats and legal warnings start.

That, and I can't overstate this enough, is JUST the beginning. The rabbit hole this leads the film-makers down reaches further and exposes more than you will ever be able to believe.

If I had to summarise it in a sentence, it's sort of like the Nic Cage movie 8mm, only true, better and about tickling videos.

Here's The Trailer:

Firstly, before I even review it, just go see it. Seriously. Go see it.

If you like mystery stories that manage to take in the whole scope of human experience in a way that is scarily relevant today, then you will love this.

The documentary covers, among other topics, homophobia, sexual fetishes, domination, masculinity, sports, power, the law, internet bullying, psychology, conspiracy, inherited wealth, abuse, intimidation, revenge and, of course, tickling. The story unravels beautifully with each question you may have after 40mins watching it, answered perfectly in the second half.

There are a couple of moments that feel fortuitous, or where the leaps in the narrative could use a little more explanation but apart from that I was on the edge of my seat throughout the 96 minute running time.

Nowadays we are all used to seeing photos and video content of other humans lives, homes, hobbies etc. but there was a point, back when the internet was first a thing, in the 90s, where it all felt strange, new, wild, seedy and bizarre to wade out into the vast and uncensored human experience online.

As the film goes on it can get quite unnerving and manages to put you right back in that place when you first used a chat room, full of weirdly named people (who could be anyone), or when you first saw someone's home made video online. Similar to when you saw your first horror or porn film on an unmarked VHS tape that your mate lent you. You can't quite believe that a person, possessed of the same biology as you, is doing what you're watching. It's very evocative and the late 90s/early 2000s technology is replicated effectively.

The directors, David Farrier and Dylan Reeve need to be applauded, not just for pursuing this story to the ends that they manage to (I am pretty sure I would've packed it in after the first e-mail threat) but for telling the story in such a fascinating, intriguing and guiding narrative.

They also perform the magic trick of wrapping it up in both a filmic way, reminiscent of a thousand straight-to-TV psychological thrillers but also, because this story is true, in a way that feels like some closure, revenge and justice has been had.

The film stands as a bleak and desperately relevant reminder that the human animal is a confused, frightening, manipulative and powerful thing, especially when it doesn't have to want for food or money.

The filmmakers also interview a tickling fetishist who makes and collects ticking videos. He started a video-driven website for fellow fetishists that quickly became a full-time job. Interestingly, tickling fetishists seem more likely to be the ticklers rather than the ticklees. Farrier attends a live recording session and looks on with befuddlement and a bit of pity. I found these scenes fairly disturbing because, despite the laughter, this really does seem like torture, at least to me. And I imagine most viewers will have visceral responses driven by their own personal feelings about being tickled against their will.

Peg Aloi is a former film critic for The Boston Phoenix. She has taught film studies for a number of years at Emerson College and is currently teaching media studies at SUNY New Paltz. Her reviews have appeared in Art New England and Cinefantastique Online, and she writes a media blog for Patheos.com called The Witching Hour.

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For all the ladies Christmas came early in July 2023in the form of a live-action film in Gerta Gerwig's daffy, delicious and swimming in pink "Barbie"! Us guys got the "Transformers" to play around with and it's about time the ladies get their due in "Barbie" and made it a box office blockbuster (Rather it be "Barbie" than "The Super Mario Brothers Movie" any day.). The story is literally about a living and breathing doll who goes from being happy to being a very happy woman ("I'm here to see my gynecologist.") and it's a great message about being human and living in this world. The world and us ain't perfect. In other words, love me and the world for whom I am all its imperfections, stay true to yourself, and never surrender the pink.

Margot Robbie is superb as Barbie with a scene-stealing and Kentastic performance from Ryan Gosling as Ken. Together they make the movie go down like a very fine and tasty ice cream (Of your choice.). When is Warner Bros. going to build their own Barbieland amusement park (Is there a real available right now!)? The movie soundtrack is just killer; as well as its pop-out production design and costumes and what a show director Greta Gerwig has put on with the help of co-writer Noah Baumbach (Stand up and take a bow!).

Wondering what's next for superstar Margot Robbie. She can do action ("The Suicide Squad" movie.), drama ("I, Tonya") and now you add comedy (Barbie!). Can imagine movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer must be kicking himself or going to try to reach her for the next "Pirates Of The Caribbean" movie. Whatever she does next I will be there. As well for Greta Gerwig's next film (Please don't do a remake of "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe".) I will be in line for it (Your "Little Woman" film is really superb!). Love those musical "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease" inspired musical numbers in your film "Barbie"! That should be your next project. If you are a guy reading this. Make sure you pick up a Bluray or DVD copy of "Barbie" for your girlfriend. It will be like early Christmas for you. Guarantee you that she would be tickled pink by it!

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