Films & Events
talhotblond
Winner Grand Jury Prize - SIFF 2009 Documentary Competition
Jury Statement: Because it tells a shocking, true crime story that reveals the Internet's power to unleash our most dangerous fantasies.
“Love—even pathological love—is incredibly powerful. We talk about people who are addicted to alcohol, people who are addicted to sex… but the biggest human addiction is love. It’s the master addiction that nothing can replace.” This observation early into talhotblond sets the stage for a surprising true-crime tale of identity, obsession, and deceit. Thomas Montgomery, an unassuming machinist in upstate New York with a troubled marriage, meets teenage Jessie (a.k.a. “talhotblond”) online. Montgomery tells her that he is Tommy, an 18-year-old boy on his way to Marine boot camp. Their relationship quickly evolves into cybersex and an engagement. Eventually Jessie discovers that Tommy is really 47-year-old Thomas and confirms it through one of his co-workers. When she embarks on another online relationship with Thomas’ co-worker, all three of their real and online lives begin to collide. With sharp psychological insight and an ingenious approach to narration, director Barbara Schroeder weaves interviews together with transcripts of the three lovers’ online conversations to tell the story of a love triangle in which the lovers never meet face to face, but one person ends up dead, another goes to prison, and the families of all three are changed forever.
Sponsor:
Seattle's Progressive Talk, AM 1090
Cast & Crew
Director: Barbara Schroeder
Producer: Barbara Schroeder
Screenwriter: Barbara Schroeder
Cinematographer: Per Larrson
Filmography: Debut Feature Film
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(3 reviews)
user reviews
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See it if you ever get a chance!, Jun 14, 2009
By Zheng Wang
“There are two documentaries in this festival that focus on the social impact of the Internet. "We Live in Public" was about a genius millionaire; "talhotblond" is about a few ordinary people. The story, however, is far from ordinary. Some viewers apparently thought this is a fictional film. Sadly,”
… full review
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best documentary in the festival!, Jun 15, 2009
By denise packer
“this was by far the best documentary i've seen in many many years...dating back to michael moore's first few. barbara schroeder beautifully crafted this almost unreal story seemlesly and made you so enthralled in the characters you were on the edge of your seat! now i ask you, how many edge of”
… full review
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Interesting and Shocking!, Jun 15, 2009
By Timothy Frazer
“This was an excellent documentary, with my only complaint being that it seemed to peak in the middle and then kind of drags on. But, having said that, this is well worth seeing with an extra star for the downright "creepy" factor!”
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