David Farrier is an intrepid journalist and documentarian, but he may have met his match with Mister Organ, an unconventional film that changes its purpose almost as often as its subject changes his personality.

Having been intrigued by a developing story about a hired goon enforcing unreasonable ultimatums for drivers parking outside of an antique store, Farrier falls down a rabbit hole of clues and suggestions that help identify who this mysterious man is.  The filmmaker’s patience and discipline is rewarded when the man, Michael Organ, personally opens up to Farrier.  Farrier, who is well aware of Organ’s manipulative behaviour, cautiously steps into Michael’s confusing world of shame, anger, and deceit;  enabling a conflict of interest that frustrates the filmmaker.

Even though Farrier is forced to reexamine his film’s mission statement, the audience can draw a conclusion that Mister Organ is about addictive toxicity of a relationship built off of curious lark.  At first, Farrier treats Michael’s bossy and belittling attitude as an interesting quirk that entertains him.  Because David always feels like he’s in control, he allows Michael to get away with how he acts.  But as soon as Farrier discovers that he’s been lured into Michael’s web of abuse because he hasn’t taken him seriously enough, the filmmaker is disarmed but allows the imbalance to continue because of Michael’s oddball “charm”.  Farrier’s stubbornness to realize the truth about his subject goes beyond the intent of his filmmaking as it takes on a much more personal form of obsession and intimidation.

Unlike Tickled or Farrier’s captivating Netflix series Dark Tourist, Mister Organ is an introspective documentary that still finds a way to work (as dysfunctional as those ways might be).  This complicated documentary about reactionary behaviour may feel stuck as it spins in circles but, then again, it’s reflecting the stress of its storyteller;  which will, in turn, hopefully hold a mirror up to movie goers who are trapped in their own toxic scenarios.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie