I decided to look up some information about Vernon, Florida because the film interested me. The population is estimated around 750 people. The median age is 36 years old and the median income is $21,000. The town is approximately 76% White, Non-Hispanic. The town is named after George Washington’s home (in VA), Mt. Vernon. Thanks to Wikapedia, I also found out something really curious. Wikapedia claims, “It is alleged that some residents of the town threatened to kill Morris, who was going to expose a bizarre scam wherein individuals would cut off their own limbs as a way to collect insurance money.” This is really intriguing to me because then the movie is even more about what is real or purpose. The first word of the film is reality. I never used to pay attention to that sort of thing, now I find myself trying to pick up on everything. Anyway… the fact that the film in fact, may be more about what’s not shown, what’s not said or that in actuality, it was meant to show people faking injury, not REALLY being injured is again really complex to me. I found myself wondering if the stories and tales of the people were real, but then again if they believe they were real, then does it actually matter… I think I need to reflect on the film more…
My favorite part of the movie could have been missed rather easily. There are three older men sitting outside a store and as one is talking, another is picking his nose. Interestingly, I think I found it funny because I knew it was real. I knew the person was actually not bothered by the fact that the camera was on him. If it had been some acting that out I might not have found it as laughable.