You do not need to be a fan of the movie Troll 2 to appreciate this documentary. Rooting the film’s narrative in George’s life was perfect. An unashamed attention-addict, the thread of his life, though overtold and laboured at times, is completely necessary to keep the viewer engrossed.
The middle of the film suffers from lack of dramatic action. Once we’ve heard praise of George from every conceivable angle, it’s time to cut to the chase, but the film doesn’t. It’s pandering to George’s ego holds the film back from pure genius, getting us ever-so-close to the ‘real’ George only at a horror convention, where the lack of attention eats away at him like termites in an old building. Directed by a fan, not a cast-member, we may have seen something much darker and psychologically gruelling. But that’s not this movie.
Margot, Robert and Don are story strands that hinted at great depth, but the film didn’t promise to go there, so no harm, no foul. Scenes with Claudio, Troll 2’s egocentric Italian director and George, selling his film screening to unsuspecting dental patients, provide perfect cringe-inducing moments that were sadly absent from other parts of the film, equally capable of effortlessly eliciting them. Restraint in editing here can only be attributed to excessive politeness towards the protagonist’s feelings, not always a great way to make a documentary.
The reason fans love Troll 2 is the unabashed earnestness of those involved. This doco should become a primer or chaser at fan events. Perhaps both! It is propelled by the same fuel of good-will and naivete. And why not? When fans love a film called Trolls 2, voted the Worst Movie Ever Made, how could a doco entitled Best Worst Movie really fail to receive an open-armed reception?
by Paul Barry
