David Holzman's Diary

David Holzman's Diary

Directed by Jim McBride

196774 min6.3 / 10

A self-reflexive mockumentary that uses the conceit of a filmmaker documenting his own life to explore narcissism, self-deception, and the impossibility of objective self-knowledge.

A young filmmaker decides to make a movie about his day-to-day activities in an attempt to understand himself and get his life back in order. A precursor to reality television and vlogs.

Questions people ask

  • Is David Holzman's Diary violent? No. Less violent than 92% of films.

  • Is David Holzman's Diary sad? Somewhat. More sad than 70% of films.

  • Does David Holzman's Diary end with hope? Not especially. Less hopeful than 64% of films.

  • Is David Holzman's Diary scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is David Holzman's Diary easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

62/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity96

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise62

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love35

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like David Holzman's Diary

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as David Holzman's Diary

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like David Holzman's Diary, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like David Holzman's Diary, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like David Holzman's Diary, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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