Framing John DeLorean

Greetings again from the darkness. Hollywood is known for taking a real life person or event, embellishing the details, twisting the facts, and creating a fictionalized version meant to shock ... or at least entertain. John DeLorean lived a life that made it almost too easy for Hollywood, yet numerous attempts at a biopic have stalled over the years. Co-directors Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce were there to pick up the pieces and deliver a documentary with dramatized reenactments of actual (and hypothetical) moments. Co-writers Dan Greeney and Alexandra Orton assist with a cinematic version likely to cause those who recall actual events to marvel at the full story, and those too young to remember will likely find it difficult to believe ... or perhaps, sadly, all too believable!

The film provides the backstory where John DeLorean was a talented engineer at General Motors and became a star on the rise within what at the time was the world's largest corporation. Turning around GM's flailing Pontiac division by introducing the GTO as a muscle car, DeLorean's success was a mixture of technical knowledge, marketing savvy, risk-taking, swagger, and ambition. Despite his actions leading directly to higher profits and large executive bonus checks, the stodgy old school regime forced him out in 1973. DeLorean, seen as a swashbuckling rebel, started his own company, De Lorean Motor Company, with the unusual stated goal of mass producing exotic sports cars made of stainless steel.

The dramatizations and reenactments involve Alec Baldwin as DeLorean, Morena Baccarin as his (third) wife, supermodel Cristina Ferrare, and Josh Charles as Bill Collins, the chief engineer he 'stole' from GM. We even get a behind the scenes look as Baldwin discusses the role from the makeup chair, and Ms. Baccarin is interviewed on how she viewed Ms. Ferrare. These dramatizations cover possible conversations between DeLorean and Collins, as well as home life with Ms. Ferrare and the kids, and are more distraction than help.

More effective than these "what if" segments, are the actual interviews with the real Bill Collins, as well as others who were involved at the time. Unfortunately, we only see the actual Ms. Ferrare in clips, as she understandably wouldn't want to be relive this part of her life. However, their kids, Zach and Kathryn, are interviewed on camera. Both are quite forthcoming with their thoughts, recollections, and the impact of growing up as DeLoreans' kids. Zach carries his hostility on his sleeve, while Kathryn offers a bit more reticence. Both reactions are understandable, and 'the car vs the dad' discussions are fascinating ... and these interviews are the film's high points.

Opening with FBI footage of DeLorean's lie detector test administered in 1983, possibly the most interesting aspect from an overall perspective is the contrast between his trial for drug trafficking and his later trial for embezzlement. Despite his being a truly desperate man when he agreed to the drug deal, it seems quite obvious - as the jury found - that DeLorean was a victim of FBI entrapment (possibly the first time many of us had heard the word). In the aftermath of what was a media circus not dissimilar to OJ's trial, we do hear from both defense attorney Howard Weitzman and prosecutor Robert Perry as to how each viewed the case. However, the shell company in Geneva and the aspects to his embezzlement lead us to believe DeLorean's character was truly compromised - or possibly revealed.

From a business viewpoint, it was quite interesting to learn that DMC (De Lorean Motor Company) ended up being based in Belfast, Northern Ireland (a great trivia question) due to 30% unemployment and the large government subsidies meant to stimulate an economy in the dumps. The lack of infrastructure and a workforce with no automobile experience led to quality issues that were simply too great to overcome ...especially when combined with other issues on Planet DeLorean.

John DeLorean led a flamboyant life and experienced a very public fall from grace. Screenwriter Bob Gale explains how the DeLorean car was chosen for the BACK TO THE FUTURE trilogy, and how a letter from DeLorean showed how much he still enjoyed the spotlight. Was DeLorean a renegade visionary or a con man? Was he a victim or a cut-throat businessman? Whatever your thoughts, he's a textbook example of how the American Dream can come true, and still be followed by one's worst nightmare. Sometimes there is no need to print the legend ... fact will do just fine.

I remember when this was happening but at that point in my life, I was not interested in the whole affair. It was a good to see this documentary but I know there was so much more that should be in the story. It would been so much better without Baldwin. They should have used the time and money on more research and story telling.

I wish this movie had not been an hour and fifty minutes long! The last fifty minutes becomes boring because it is easy for the viewer to see where the story leads.

Plus the dramatic acting adds nothing to the historical facts in this mans life. If you don't know who John DeLorean was this movie may be informative but still this movie is just too long because, as stated above, you can see the sorry end way in advance.

1. Margaret thatcher did not just "pull the plug" on DeLoreans factory in N. Ireland -- The UK taxpayers had already lost 100,000,000 Pounds (well over half a billion dollars today) and none of the built cars were selling. DeLorean was found to be siphoning off tens of millions form that factory to off-shore accounts, and then to his own personal accounts. there is evidence that he bribed Labor Party officials who had set up the original deal to massively fund the debacle. (if you want to know more google Ivan Fallon's piece "The man who fooled the world). 2. The Delorean was profoundly unsafe vehicle. It was not political machinations that produced those results but every government and independent testing group. It was also never a performance car as promised. It was mediocre in acceleration, cornering etc with a couple of bottled on "innovations" that were not really useful at all (gull wing doors). 3. DeLorean was not "framed." He was heavily involved in drugs including parties where he provided them for a very long time. He was aware of what hardcore drugs do -- his own father died from a narcotics addiction and overdose. He was attempting to profit from something he knew firsthand destroyed lives. 4. The GTO was not his invention, nor was the Firebird. They were created by teams of hundreds of engineers and marketing experts. The scene were he is seen promoting it to an incredulous and unsupportive board is part of the BS he spun. GM knew of Ford's Mustang project and wanted their own muscle car.

Excellent subject for a documentary, and in the right places, an absorbing film. That said, the reenactments are out of place and just don't mesh with the whole. Here I am, enjoying some unseen archival footage and the film grinds to a halt while the actors break the fourth wall. Alec Baldwin sits in a makeup chair and goes over how he'll play this character in a coming scene. This is actually part of the movie. I have no problem with Baldwin playing the titular character, just make it a full-on biopic.

Still, I have no regrets watching this, and I'd probably do it again. The interviews from everyone involved are worth seeing. Hey, it's an unusual approach to a mythic American drama, that's for sure. But does it work? Ehh . . . .