Watch Out

Watch Out, released in 2008, was Steve Balderson's collaboration with Dr. Joseph Suglia to adapt the his novel of the same name.

'WATCH OUT is the story of Jonathan Barrows, a man who falls in love with himself, literally. He is attracted to his own body, carries out an erotic relationship with a blow-up doll that resembles him, and takes pleasure in rejecting the advances of his many admirers. He descends into a world of carnivorous priests and Prozac-popping Polish prostitutes and eventually assassinates the world's most popular pop-diva. You strange creatures, Barrows declares, you are nothing more to Me than a meal at the fast-food restaurant of life. But who will end up being devoured?'
-Amazon.com

I must say, the film blew me away. As I have yet to read the novel, I can not comment on how it compares. But, the film packed so much.

There was imagery that was absurd, perverse, confusing, and all around brilliant. There are scenes of male masturbation, violence, murder, sex, and other disturbances. All of which are indeed needed to convey the story.

So few films have touched on the God Complex, and none that I know of that showed it in this light. Focusing on the asexual power, over the power of persuasion or sexual powers over others. It was on such a higher level than just being conceited, but believing and existing as a God in ones own mind.

This was a film that could have never truly been made in the world of Hollywood. While there might have been directors who would have touched it, they would have never came out with the true end result.

While not an A List Actor, Matt Riddlehoover came forth with an A List performance. He was powerful, sexual, and real. There was never a moment where I didn't believe he was a God in his own world.

Being brought forth in acts, like a play, the story unfolded in a way that a contemporary film could/would not. You saw the boy become the man become the God that he was. The events unfolding in such a warped way one could not help but be enthralled.

While not a film for everyone, it truly is a piece of art. It's been called a cult film in the making, and I believe that's quite possible. There's an audience whom may see a piece of their self in Jonathan Barrows' character, admitting and accepting their own self love.

Watch Out is truly a piece of art and film history.