Product: Startup.Com (2001)
Rating: 4.0
From STARTUP.COM to STARTUP.BOMB.
STARTUP.COM is a fascinating documentry/ cautionary tale centering around Kaleil Tuzman and Tom Herman, two childhood friends who hit upon the bright idea of establishing a company named govworks.com. The film chronicles 18 months in their lives as the pair strive to make their dream a reality; eventually reaching a level of success uncanny for such a short period, rubbing shoulders with President Clinton (I was disappointed that Bill didn't produce one of his famous cigars and ask Kaleil for a light, all the while wiggling his eyebrows like Groucho Marx) and then ultimately watching it come crashing down around them. Could Tuzman's astronomical ego and jet turbine sized motor-mouth be to blame? Watch this and judge for yourself.STARTUP.COM is possibly one of the best documentaries I've ever seen, despite the two main protagonists being self- absorbed poindexters gone haywire. Essential viewing for anybody who harbors similar ambitions; this will give you an idea of what NOT to do. It's only Tuzman's arrogance that prevents STARTUP.COM from getting 5 stars; though Herman is equally bad by neglecting his adorable little girl and attractive wife (How is it possible?) in order to become rich and powerful.Finally, it's interesting to note that throughout the film from shot to shot Herman's face keeps changing: One shot he has a beard, then he's clean shaven, then beard again, then he's trimmed it to a goatee. Directors Jehane Noujaim and Chris Hegedus even go so far as showing a sequence of Herman shaving his beard off. Is this a subtle attempt at demonstrating the "cut-throat" world of entrepeneurship? A case of "hair today, gone tomorrow?" I'm still scratching my noodle at the complexity of it all.DVD extras include a commentary track, the trailer and profiles for the Directors and Herman and Tuzman.