By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Paul Schrader
Starring: Greg Kinnear | Maria Bello | Rita Wilson | Ron Leibman | Willem Dafoe
Country: united_states
Year: 2002
Running time: 107
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0298744
Laura says: “Michael Gerbosi’s adaptation of the Robert Graysmith book The Murder of Bob Crane by Robert Graysmith suggests that Carpie wanted more than companionship from Crane and fed the man and ever increasing stream of women to maintain the relationship at any cost. Obsessed with watching his sexual exploits on tape (the two men call to mind Henry and Otis reliving their murders in HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER), Crane’s ego obscures everything around him. He believes the world exists to worship his sexual organ. The fikm’s most powerful scene, where a washed up Crane makes lewd remarks to a buxom audience member during a televised cooking show, clearly demonstrates the man’s total break with reality. When it finally dawns on him that Lenny’s repeated warnings that his lifestyle is affecting his ability to get a job (Crane supported himself doing dinner theater in the 70s), Crane’s attempt to break with Carpie brings his ultimate destruction.
“Kinnear is solid as Crane, mutating boyish charm into oily sleaze. Dafoe is more effective, though, showing us what made Carpenter tick. He’s part huckster, part desperate hanger-on, showing expansive largesse one moment, pleading the next. Also exceptional is Liebman as the disappointed onlooker always willing to give his client another chance. The film also features Maria Bello (PERMANENT MIDNIGHT) as Crane’s costar and second wife and Kurt Fuller doing a great Werner Klemperer impersonation.
“Schrader and his director of photography Fred Murphy (THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES) chart Crane’s descent by beginning the film in bright, sitcomy color and gradually desaturate the images until they begin to resemble the grainy b&w of those early VTR recordings. Camera angles become more menacing, the images shakier. James Chinlund’s production design also apes 60 and 70s sitcom sets, followed by the seedier environs of cheap porno flicks.
“AUTO FOCUS is a fascinating tale, but Crane’s blandness gives the film a curiously hollow heart.” 3 1/2 cats
For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/autofocus.htm”
Robin says: “As I watched the well-crafted bio on the life and still unresolved death of the beloved Colonel Hogan I wondered at just what demographic AUTO FOCUS is aimed. The popular comedy series ran for six years from 1966 to 1971 and launched such oft-repeated lines like ‘I know nothing!’ But, when the series ended, so did Crane’s visibility in the entertainment industry until his brutal murder in 1979. Helmer Schrader and company seem to think there is still interest in Crane’s life and death and adapted the Robert Graysmith book, The Murder of Bob Crane, to the big screen.
“As someone who was a regular viewer of ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ when it aired in the late 60’s, I have to admit I was intrigued to see the story of Crane’s life and ultimate demise. When the actor was murdered way back when, there was national attention for a time but, as the investigation waned, so did public interest. Schrader rekindled my interest with the screen adaptation (by Michael Gerbosi) of Greysmith’s book and has created a well made, though not great, look into Crane’s self-destructive life. ” 3 1/2 cats
For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/autofocus.htm”