Watch Google Me

Google Me is a documentary film released in 2007 and directed by Jim Killeen. The film follows the story of Jim Killeen, a man who Googled himself and found several other people with the same name as him. In an attempt to connect with these people, Jim decides to travel around the world and meet the other Jim Killeens he finds through his Google search.

The film showcases Jim's journey as he meets several other Jim Killeens, each of whom is very different from one another. Some of the Jim Killeens he met were, among others, an Irish actor, an atheist truck driver, a retired police officer who had been shot on duty and a gay filmmaker from Canada. Each encounter provides unique insights into the Jim Killeens' lives and their experiences of being named "Jim Killeen."

One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is that it is not only a story about Jim Killeen and the other Jim Killeens but also about how technology has changed how we interact with the world. The movie traces the impact of technology, specifically Google, on our lives, and how it has changed the way we find and connect with people. It also touches on important themes like identity, community, and the nature of personal connections.

Throughout the film, Jim struggles to understand what it means to share a name with other people and the profound effects this can have on one's sense of self. For example, one of the Jim Killeens he meets has been trying to get in touch with his mother, who gave him up for adoption. However, the mother she has been trying to reach is the wrong one, and the small mix-up serves as an emotional twist in the story.

Another Jim Killeen believes that he was the inspiration for the Marvel Comics character Ant-Man, and he shows off his personal collection of Ant-Man memorabilia when Jim meets him. This was one of many humorous and interesting moments in the movie.

The documentary also serves as a reminder of how the internet and social media have changed the way we communicate and interact with people. In the pre-internet days, it would have been impossible for Jim to connect with all the other Jim Killeens he meets in the film. But with the advent of technology, he can easily track them down and arrange meetings, opening up a whole new world of human connections.

The film is beautifully shot, with stunning visuals of the various locations Jim visits while searching for the other Jim Killeens. The soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring a mix of songs that provide an emotional backdrop to the various scenes.

The movie showcases a diverse range of personalities, including an artist in California who creates sculptures from found objects, a retired teacher who talks about her experience of working with children, and a Vietnam veteran who lost his leg in the war.

Overall, Google Me is a touching and thought-provoking documentary that examines the impact of technology on our lives and the nature of personal connections in the digital age. Through Jim Killeen's journey, we are reminded that while technology has certainly changed the way we live, work, and interact with each other, our basic human need for connection and community remains as strong as ever.