Startup.com is an intriguing, intense and thrilling documentary film released in 2001 that intricately charts the rise and fall of govWorks, an internet startup company. Directed by Chris Hegedus and Jehane Noujaim, the critically acclaimed movie focuses on the enthralling journey of the company's founders, childhood friends Kaleil Isaza Tuzman and Tom Herman.

The documentary serves as a window into the height of the infamous tech bubble, providing a raw and unnerving insight into the ambitious dreams of Internet entrepreneurship, venture capitalism and the harsh reality of what it is to build a start-up during this era. It narrates the life of the entrepreneurs in a period that would later be dubbed the ".com bubble", during which countless startups emerged, all aiming to capitalize on the then-revolutionary idea of the Internet and world wide web.

The film begins by introducing Kaleil Isaza Tuzman and Tom Herman, a dynamic duo who are ready to take risks and aspire to make their startup a major player in the e-commerce world. Their startup, govWorks, aims to revolutionize the way citizens interact with local governments - an ambitious and forward-thinking concept during the Internet's infancy.

The motive of Startup.com is not just to document the journey of a tech company; it stretches beyond entrepreneurship, exploring the intricate relationships between the founders with their friends, families, and the strain experienced on their personal lives due to their professional ambitions.

Kaleil Isaza Tuzman, the company’s CEO, is depicted as an ambitious entrepreneur with a focus and drive that borders on obsession, his passion for his idea driving him onwards despite the obstacles he encounters. His relationship with co-founder Tom Herman is a critical facet of the documentary, effectively displaying the toll that such intense professional projects and undertakings can take on even the closest of personal relationships. Tom Herman is depicted as a more lenient and relaxed character compared to Kaleil; however, his complacency often conflicts with Kaleil's aggressive approach towards the company’s success.

Longtime veteran documentary filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker served as a producer, bringing his decades of experience to the project. His past work, which often focused on vivid close-ups of human interaction and conflict under pressure, aided in capturing the intense and emotionally charged proceedings of the internet startup world.

Visually, the documentary has an up-close-and-personal style, offering the viewers a ringside seat to the action. The filmmakers seem to be there at every crucial juncture, capturing challenging board meetings, investment pitches, confrontations and even capturing moments of vulnerability during seemingly ordinary conversations. It provides a real, human perspective on a technical subject matter, merging character study with a look into the consequences of unchecked ambition.

Given access to the daily trials and triumphs at govWorks, the filmmakers expertly weave a dramatic narrative of the pressures faced by internet startups, the heated clashes between friends-turned-business-partners and the relentless quest for success in a fast-moving, cut-throat environment.

Kenneth Austin, the firm's CFO and a seasoned Wall Street professional, is also a notable personality in the film. He adds an additional, authoritative dimension to the narrative, showcasing a more calculated aspect of running a business.

Overall, Startup.com is a compelling, fast-paced and profoundly human look at the stressful world of entrepreneurship in the midst of an economic hype cycle. It does not just reflect the story of a single company, but represents the journey of thousands of internet startups from the start of the 21st century, and the dreamers who, stepping into a new era, hoped to strike it big. It goes beyond just a story of economic boom and bust, but presents a timeless tale about friendship, partnership, ambition, and the price one can pay for success.

Despite being two decades old, Startup.com holds surprising relevance in today's digital age, making it a must-watch for budding entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, or anyone with an interest in true-life business dramas.