Although independent filmmakers probably have to be somewhat obsessive in order to complete their projects, director Frank Gallagher’s They Shoot Movies, Don’t They? explores what can happen when such an obsession is carried to extremes.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Photographed in a style similar to The Blair Witch Project and Neil Burger’s brilliant Interview with an Assassin, this absorbing drama seems quite real, which explains why many viewers have accepted it as a true documentary.  All aspects of the film -- directing, acting, cinematography, etc. -- help create that feeling.

The story may be fictional, but it illustrates important truths about the self-destructive nature of obsessive behavior. As we follow Tom Paulson (Tom Wilson, also the film’s executive producer) in his goal to raise money for the completion of his film Mirage, we see him  change from a fairly happy person into someone completely different. Tom’s tunnel vision and the obstacles he meets along the way play a key role in his downward spiral.

Kudos to Wilson for an excellent job portraying the driven filmmaker. He seems completely authentic in this performance -- his “acting” doesn’t show. We really believe he’s a man who would put his life savings into a film but balk at giving others control of the project or making changes he doesn’t like.           

What kinds of things will Paulson do to obtain the financing he needs? How will his family and friends be affected by his obsession?  Can this project -- and Paulson -- be saved, or will an unfeeling Hollywood destroy the man and his dream?

While I’m usually entertained by movies about movies, They Shoot Movies, Don’t They? proved a bit of a downer for me. I wasn’t expecting to see the problems faced by independent filmmakers depicted in such a shocking way. After watching this movie, my heart goes out to them. (Capsule review.)

(Released by Goldhil Entertainment; not rated by MPAA. For more information, visit the film’s official Website.)