Seems like a very dishonest Documentary where the director needlessly interject himself into the film! Not worth your time.

Dishonest film making. Monstrous directing.

Yet another documentarian who thought it necessary to make the film mostly about themself. Complete with the obligatory footage of going home to his rich parents' home to talk about how he's thinking about giving up. It's a doc about how hard it was to make. Ho hum. I'm beyond sick of this narcissistic format.

In his heyday The Amazing Johnathan was one of the funniest and most surprising comedy-magicians on the circuit. The premise for this slightly rambling and confusing documentary is to follow Johnathan on his come-back tour after a forced absence brought on by an apparent diagnosis of terminal illness. How much of what we're told is true and how much manipulation and trickery becomes the subject. Unfortunately the price is an increasing lack of focus. Still interesting, though.

Waste of time. Fake documentary scripted to look like a crazy, frustrating and intriguing story. Berman, Chinn and the Annoying Jonathan are completely horrible at making this look authentic.

You never really know where the movie is heading and at first I was a bit annoyed but as the twist and turns pile up the movie really starts to shine. I was hoping for an interesting ending and staying true to the spirit of documentary, it ends in the weirdest way possible. The illusion is revealed and hilarity ensues.

In 2014, the Amazing Johnathan (sic), a surreal American "Gonzo" magician/comedian/entertainer from the 80s/90s, for those of us who don't know him, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and given one year to live. Three years later, first time documentarian Ben Berman begins filming him, very much still alive and indulging his life as he wishes to, as he embarks on a comeback tour. The resulting film, now streaming on Sky Documentaries, may have started in a conventional manner, but as soon as it begins to crack open the man's eccentric facade, it also slowly pivots into something more meta that ends up looking back at the documentary maker himself and the nature of documentaries and the ethics involved. To say any more will ruin the enjoyment of this film, but suffice to say, I was thoroughly amused by the way conversations between Johnathan and Berman casually throw up curve balls or yet another nonchalant revelation. Even though at times, it skirts close to sentimentalities and being naval gazing, Berman endears himself by the sweet-natured and genuine manner he confronts every obstacle, as its central mystery deepens to the point where you start questioning what is real and what isn't. Watching him turn legal requirements, such as the use of pixelated faces, into funny and clever visual short-hands, only further reaffirms his underdog status as we find ourselves willing him to win. The third act may be too cute for some, but I admire his gumption for going there, not to mention the ironic circularity of it all, as Berman ends on an unexpected sweet note and delivers a portrait of an illusion maker who is mischievous, elusive, yet terribly human after all.

I Loved the Amazing Johnathon. I saw him on Comedy Central and live in Vegas. I was intrigued that something had happened to him when I saw the trailer because I hadn't heard from him in years. Don't let this garbage documentary sully his memory (if he ever dies). Its more about the director than the subject matter. It took me 3 tries to finish it.

This was less a documentary about The Amazing Johnathan and more a whining temper tantrum from Ben, the documentarian, all because another group had a similar idea. Competition should make you strive to be your best rather than complaining about how the other group(s) are "big meanie heads" (seriously surprised this wasn't a direct quote from the film). I gave this movie a full star merely for the entertainment of watching this douche rationalize his childish behavior, including smoking meth just to make it even more about himself. This is a perfect example of why the older generations complain/mock millennials and why I'm ashamed to admit being one, myself.

Watching this documentary was a completely unique experience. You will never see another one like this. It's a surreal trip that really captures some of the absurdities of show business, drug addiction, fame, ego, death, and life in Hollywood without ever losing it's humor. It's good to see a new documentary standing alone in it's own space like this.

Quite a wild ride! Definitely entertaining and worth a watch!

Fascinating and dark in its subject matter with no sugar coating. Documentary making at it's finest. Amazing indeed.

a series of cheap shots taken by a film maker. i feel bad for the people this movie made out to be villains. not so much a documentary on the amazing johnathan.

Should be called "The Ben Documentary." Content was maybe 20% Johnathan, 80% Ben's complaining/Ben doing a hit of Meth/Ben's boring back story/tacky visuals with overused music in the background. I hope he didn't get paid for this, because it is complete garbage. If only Ben wasn't a terrible person, and was more like the real hero of the story... Chad. I wanna see Chad's documentary. My real problem is that I know who Chad or Ben is!!! I wanted to learn about Johnathan, and I got near nothing!!! Worse than Batman v Superman. Ben, do something else with your life. Ben... don't do drugs!

Staged. Not long into the movie my gut instinct was that everyone was in on it. And so it became more and more apparent. It's like they wanted to do an "Exit Through the Gift Shop" but lacked the nuance.

Confusing and unsatisfying as a documentary about either Johnathan or Ben Berman, the documentarian.

One of the best docs ive seen. Bravo, Ben!

Better title: 'The Amazing Johnathan Trolls the World'. I was frustrated at this documentary on one of the world's most famous comedic magician's. Is he really dying, or smoking crystal meth, or hell even in love or is it all just a game. Maybe some is true, or maybe it's all true, but the subject never lets us know because the film once earning our trust slaps the viewer in the face with contempt. I'm not sure I can blame the director Ben Berman who was attempting to create his first feature length documentary. In the end it's more about Berman and his quest for truth than it is about a comedian who may be running one great illusion! There's no ruckus here! Final Score: 5.6/10

Like Inception, but with more meth. I loved this documentary.

I *love* when documentaries intrigue me by their subject matter but then go in directions I'm not even expecting. This is one of the most fascinating docs I've seen IMO. I love it when films break the 4th wall and then just obliterates it but for all the best (and most creative) reasons.