Errol Morris puts together a 55-minute documentary made up of a handful of residents from Vernon, Florida talking about nothing. Somehow, without a entrancing Philip Glass score (or a score at all) or a common thread this documentary still works and the people still happen to come off as endearing at times. Especially the man who keeps strange pets.

Part of the December Project: Film #37

This short early Errol Morris documentary is like if the Coen Brothers decided to do a mockumentary. Errol Morris interviews the local flavor in a small town in Florida full of oddball residents. While it is near unbelievable that people like this actually exist, Errol Morris makes it seem like you've known these people your entire life.

Like a true documentarian, Errol Morris doesn't insert any heavy handed narration. He doesn't tell you what to think of these people. He doesn't even ask them questions. He just lets them talk. And that's what makes it feel ultimately more true to life.

In between two masterpieces, Errol Morris made this short, charming film, which cross-cuts between interviews with the residents of the titular rural community. These include a preacher, a worm farmer and, most memorably, a turkey hunter who relates in great detail the story of each "gobbler" whose feet he's mounted on the outside of his house. It's interesting, in particular, to see Morris developing the approach he would perfect in Fast, Cheap and Out of Control, juxtaposing disparate subjects until it can't help but seem like each is commenting on the others. I'm honestly not sure what it amounts to here, but it's a pleasurable way to spend an hour.

Errol Morris sure knows where to find them. What a strange little town. The police officer with absolutely nothing to do. The preacher who draws something from the frequent use of the word 'therefore' in the Romans. The couple who believe that sand grows and has a jar to prove it. Still, if there's one character that stands out, it's the turkey obsessed hunter. As far as one track mind goes, he gobbles.

An interesting and at times bizarre look at a handle of hilarious residents that make up Vernon, Florida.

People talking in their reality. I don't know what Errol Morris said to get these people to open up about what drives them, their lives, what they do, and a ton or seemingly random stuff, but it's incredibly interesting to watch. My favorite 'character' is the turkey hunter. He reminded me of the trapper from Herzog's "Happy People"; he has a skill that he is so immersed in and such an expert in and this drives his life and happiness. Really makes me feel like I need to find a hobby in which I can be really skilled.

I don't know how much this doc really amounts to, or if it even seems finished, but it's still neat to get to know these small town oddballs.

Truly a therefore experience

55 minutes of bliss. The backwater wu wei on display here is fantastic, and makes me deeply love humans, the weirdest animals on the damn planet.

In between two masterpieces, Errol Morris made this short, charming film, which cross-cuts between interviews with the residents of the titular rural community. These include a preacher, a worm farmer and, most memorably, a turkey hunter who relates in great detail the story of each "gobbler" whose feet he's mounted on the outside of his house. It's interesting, in particular, to see Morris developing the approach he would perfect in Fast, Cheap and Out of Control, juxtaposing disparate subjects until it can't help but seem like each is commenting on the others. I'm honestly not sure what it amounts to here, but it's a pleasurable way to spend an hour.

A fascinating look at an everyday small town. So many great lines and people.

Errol Morris intended to make "Nub City" ... a documentary about some people that had cut off their own limbs for insurance money. When some of the subjects of this film threatened his life, he had to rethink the project, and came up with this film, a portrait of some of the eccentrics he met in the town of Vernon, Florida while researching "Nub City". Like "Gates of Heaven", there's something ineffably magical and profound about this film. I'm quite moved by these people, but I can't say exactly why. It touches on the deep need of people to find meaning and sense in their lives even if they may not be fully equipped to do so. It's very inspiring.

Is it cliched to say that real life makes for some pretty compelling material? Regardless, I remain impressed that Morris presents his figures without any sense of judgement or superiority.

Errol Morris puts together a 55-minute documentary made up of a handful of residents from Vernon, Florida talking about nothing. Somehow, without a entrancing Philip Glass score (or a score at all) or a common thread this documentary still works and the people still happen to come off as endearing at times. Especially the man who keeps strange pets.