By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Ken Harder | Scott Milam | Todd Pottinger
Country: united_states
Year: 2004
Running time: 129
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397041/combined
Chris says: “A Seattle fixture for decades, Richard Peterson is a mentally challenged, musically gifted savant obsessed with Johnny Mathis and orchestral cues from the ’50s TV show ‘Sea Hunt.’ Initially, I feared that the filmmakers were crudely exploiting Peterson in this documentary, but that feeling disintegrated over time. To the film’s credit, watching it is akin to meeting Peterson; at first, you don’t know what to make of him, but gradually, he becomes familiar and (dare I say) engaging. Although the film’s a little slick and overlong, Peterson is unlike anyone you’ve ever met (the real life ‘Rain Man’ comparisons don’t do him justice). I think I’d much rather meet him onscreen than in person. 3.5 cats”