03-09-2013, 02:00 PM
I know I should probably attach this review to the Paul Williams thread in the issues. But some poster has accused the forum of being Schizo. I figured what could be more schizoid than posting a movie review in the movie review section? Suck it, CF.
There is a soft spot in me for stories about artists. I could probably have 'Behind the Music' on loop on the TV. Ah, the beauty of the rise and fall and rise again story. So, renting the story about Paul Williams was a no brainer. And, yes, tQ was away when I saw it.
As far as Narcissitic director stalker tales go, this is a good one. Actually, it was starting to creep me out. Basically, the director and narrator,Stephen Kessler, starts the film professing his love for Williams and thinks that he is dead. What follows is the director's journey to get to know Paul Williams. Now, the director has some cred. He's directed some films and commercials, which at least gives him an entree into William's world. Which I found to be bad for Williams. For a good chunk of the film, Williams complains about the cameras. Kessler is sad that Williams is not more forthcoming about his alcoholic nadir in the eighties.
There was just too much Kessler in the film. How he loves Williams. How they both love squid. How he hopes Williams will let him sleep over at the house. How he tries to convince Williams not to go to the terrorist stronghold of Mindinao. It felt like what would happen if the stalker actually caught and got to keep the object of his desires.
It is the object lesson of a documentary film maker deciding that his story of covering the subject of the documentary is just as important as the subject of the documentary itself. I'm looking at you, Badass Bunny.
There is a soft spot in me for stories about artists. I could probably have 'Behind the Music' on loop on the TV. Ah, the beauty of the rise and fall and rise again story. So, renting the story about Paul Williams was a no brainer. And, yes, tQ was away when I saw it.
As far as Narcissitic director stalker tales go, this is a good one. Actually, it was starting to creep me out. Basically, the director and narrator,Stephen Kessler, starts the film professing his love for Williams and thinks that he is dead. What follows is the director's journey to get to know Paul Williams. Now, the director has some cred. He's directed some films and commercials, which at least gives him an entree into William's world. Which I found to be bad for Williams. For a good chunk of the film, Williams complains about the cameras. Kessler is sad that Williams is not more forthcoming about his alcoholic nadir in the eighties.
There was just too much Kessler in the film. How he loves Williams. How they both love squid. How he hopes Williams will let him sleep over at the house. How he tries to convince Williams not to go to the terrorist stronghold of Mindinao. It felt like what would happen if the stalker actually caught and got to keep the object of his desires.
It is the object lesson of a documentary film maker deciding that his story of covering the subject of the documentary is just as important as the subject of the documentary itself. I'm looking at you, Badass Bunny.
So much for the flickr badge idea. Dammit
mt079
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