You Can See Everything
Summary
Hosts Linda Holmes, Bob Mondello, and Ronald Young Jr. discuss the unconventional documentary You Can See Everything, which follows Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and her partner Billy Evans. The film, directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, blends traditional observation with surreal reenactments featuring Amanda Seyfried to explore the nature of truth. While praised for its compelling cinematography and unique style, the episode debates the film's ethical boundaries and its tendency to obscure the factual details of Holmes' fraud.
Topics discussed
Introduction to the documentary and its unusual premise
Guest introductions and background on Theranos and Fielder
Spoiler warning for the second half of the film
Bob Mondello's initial reaction to the film's strangeness
Ronald Young Jr. on Fielder's questioning style
Linda Holmes' perspective as a Theranos completist
The 'four corners' debate: accuracy vs. artistic license
Confusion as a feature: navigating the film's complexity
The 'who's on first' bit and the 'literal' interpretation
Cinematography, editing, and the 'unknowable' persona
Oscar potential and questions about documentary ethics
Second half: Billy Evans' control and new ventures
Amanda Seyfried's involvement and reenactments
Bob Mondello on the blurring of scripted and real
Ronald Young Jr. on the authenticity of Fielder's reactions
Comparisons to other unconventional documentary formats
The ethics of unscripted claims and viewer trust
Billy Evans' power of attorney and A24 deal
Persuasion vs. fairness in depicting tech figures
Fielder's method of extracting truth through discomfort
Final thoughts on sympathy and the film's conclusion
Closing remarks and credits
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