This is a completely insane mockumentary that deflates the sanctimonious pretentiousness of Werner Herzog directed documentaries using the deadpan satire made popular by the films of Christopher Guest ; Les Banks directs This Is Spinal Tap.
Ostensibly about a filmmaker (real life cinematographer John Bailey) making a documentary about Werner Herozog making a documentary about how the "sightings" of Nessie of the Loch affect the collective consciousness of a modern, depersonalized society desperate for something to believe in (Herzog affectionatley calls them "wackos"). However Herzog's film is being produced by a Hollywood hack played by writer/director Zak Penn who seems to have have his own agenda about what they're actually filming. Herzog quickly realizes he's part of some hoax and threatens to quit, however something large and angry and perhaps prehistoric is starting to reveal itself under the dark waters of the Loch.
Herzog gives a funny deadpan and naturalistic performance as himself and completely dominates the film parodying his persona he revealed in Burden of Dreams. Everyone involved in the film actually plays themselves in various degrees of exaggeration including cinematographer Gabriel Beristain and sound man Russell Williams who wisely take an early hike. Less satisfying is Zak Penn who plays the part of a dirtbag producer all too well, going way over the top in his effort to turn Herzog's documentary into an exploitation monster movie; even going so far as to hire the same actors to portray "real" scientists for Herzog's documentary and fake scientists his "blockbuster" such as Kitana Baker as a busty bikini clad "sonar expert" and Michael Karnow as a clueless cryptozoologist. Penn's funniest moment comes when, desperate for "the money shot" launches a foam Nessie head into the waters of the Loch for Herzog to film (which he refuses). Watching Herzog's reactions to his documentary going down the toilet are priceless.
The release of the fake Nessie head launches a bizarre series of events that lead to a Blair Witch - like conclusion, confusing an already chaotic (albeit very entertaining) blending of reality and fiction. The only regret after watching Incident at Loch Ness is that Herzog's intial concept, how modern man craves modern myths, would have have made an interesting actual documentary.
Ostensibly about a filmmaker (real life cinematographer John Bailey) making a documentary about Werner Herozog making a documentary about how the "sightings" of Nessie of the Loch affect the collective consciousness of a modern, depersonalized society desperate for something to believe in (Herzog affectionatley calls them "wackos"). However Herzog's film is being produced by a Hollywood hack played by writer/director Zak Penn who seems to have have his own agenda about what they're actually filming. Herzog quickly realizes he's part of some hoax and threatens to quit, however something large and angry and perhaps prehistoric is starting to reveal itself under the dark waters of the Loch.
Herzog gives a funny deadpan and naturalistic performance as himself and completely dominates the film parodying his persona he revealed in Burden of Dreams. Everyone involved in the film actually plays themselves in various degrees of exaggeration including cinematographer Gabriel Beristain and sound man Russell Williams who wisely take an early hike. Less satisfying is Zak Penn who plays the part of a dirtbag producer all too well, going way over the top in his effort to turn Herzog's documentary into an exploitation monster movie; even going so far as to hire the same actors to portray "real" scientists for Herzog's documentary and fake scientists his "blockbuster" such as Kitana Baker as a busty bikini clad "sonar expert" and Michael Karnow as a clueless cryptozoologist. Penn's funniest moment comes when, desperate for "the money shot" launches a foam Nessie head into the waters of the Loch for Herzog to film (which he refuses). Watching Herzog's reactions to his documentary going down the toilet are priceless.
The release of the fake Nessie head launches a bizarre series of events that lead to a Blair Witch - like conclusion, confusing an already chaotic (albeit very entertaining) blending of reality and fiction. The only regret after watching Incident at Loch Ness is that Herzog's intial concept, how modern man craves modern myths, would have have made an interesting actual documentary.
