By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Chris Smith
Country: united_states
Year: 2022
Running time: 86
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21816824/reference/
Michael says: “I’m not sure why I elected to watch Sr. a biographical documentary about Robert Downey Sr., conceived and powered by his son, Robert Downey, Jr. I’m not really a fan of Jr., but I didn’t know a whole lot about Sr., other than that he was a fringe filmmaker in the 70’s and 80’s, whose films I had heard about but never seen. The film, directed by Chris Smith (AMERICAN MOVIE, HOME MOVIE) in a unique meld of personal conversations between Sr. and his famous son, historical footage of their family, and Sr.’s filmmaking days, and a surprisingly powerful and moving chronicle of the final years, through the pandemic, of Sr.’s life. In addition, incorporated into this documentary, is the same story, as directed and edited by Sr. himself if he were to tell his story. The combination of all these varied themes and styles could have turned into a messy hodgepodge, but instead, it manages to elevate the story into something truly special. I’m very glad I took the time to see this film, and I learned quite a bit about both the Downey family, and Sr.’s filmography, which I fully intend to check out. 4 cats”
Chris says: “Benefits considerably from having a third party (Chris Smith) direct it: in Robert Downey Sr.’s hands, it might’ve ended up an artful but impenetrable self-portrait; in Robert Downey Jr.’s, it could’ve been preening and insufferable. Instead, it ends up a novel hybrid of autobiography, family, cinema history and mortality, both sentimental and matter-of-fact about how art enhances life and how a shared passion for art gives life meaning. 4 cats”