Many people can answer the question “where do I come from?” Many know their lineage and can trace it back generations. Jon Baime, however, isn’t one of those people. It wasn’t until he reached middle age when he learned the truth about where he came from, but once he opened that door he began Filling in the Blanks, falling down the rabbit hole of who he really is. This is the incredible story of Jon and his family, and it’s one of the most shocking things you’ll ever hear.
John has this magical, charming voice that allows the entirety of Filling in the Blanks to be both of those things. This story is incredible, something I’m not sure that you could make up–and it’s truly enough to warrant the attention of viewers. However, Jon happens to possess this interesting quality that allows him to make the film even better. His voice is so animated, so full of emotion that every second of Filling in the Blanks appeals to viewers. Even the slow moments that bridge the gaps between segments of his life become these powerful instances of emotion and fun. Obviously the film revolves around Jon, but he, in just about every way, is the glue that holds Filling in the Blanks together.
John does a wonderful job of effectively stringing viewers along, only giving them what they need to hear when they need to hear it. He creates this narrative that is so incredibly interesting, and he ensures that viewers are along for the ride from beginning to end. I’ve said it before, but when someone is credited as the “writer” of a documentary I struggle to truly believe what is being said and done in that film. Filling in the Blanks credits Jon as its writer, but I don’t think that’s because he’s fabricated a story, but rather because he’s organized the film in a way that allows it to better appeal to viewers. There’s a bit of mystery that exists in the way this story is told, and Jon holds off until just the right moments to tell viewers what they need to, and ultimately want to hear.
The more films that come out, both narrative and documentary, the more I believe that we are running out of ideas–that recycled material will soon be all that remains in Hollywood and the independent channels of filmmaking. Filling in the Blanks is one of the films that reminds me that there is hope for cinema going forward, that we, as a society, still have a few tricks up our sleeves in terms of ideas for film. Filling in the Blanks is original, mysterious, thrilling, and interestingly comical. It combines the best of a series of worlds, and it thrives as a result. It not only works for itself, it works in a meta sense as well. It’s a glimmer of hope, a breath of fresh air, and it will certainly entertain viewers from beginning to end.
Filling in the Blanks is one of the most enthralling documentaries that I’ve seen in a long time. It can be difficult to turn a documentary into something with the same level of excitement as a narrative film, but this film possesses all of the necessary qualities to astonish viewers from beginning to end. Jon is one of a kind, his story is out of this world, and Filling in the Blanks is the perfect blend of a feel-good and heartbreaking story.
Written & Directed by Jon Baime.
Starring Jon Baime, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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