I Am Paul Walker

HBO Canada finally aired the documentary. Thank you to the family and friends of Paul for sharing him and the stories about him. We all knew Paul was a generous and kind person. I learnt a lot more about such a great human being. #begood #ripPW

This documentary on the late actor Paul Walker really gave me some very good insights into the type of man he was. He was forever struggling with the phoniness and constraints of Hollywood, but realized it was a necessary evil to allow him the freedom to do what he really loved when he wasn't working.

What stood out for me in this doc was Walker's generosity and wanting to help not only his own family but help anywhere he could be of service, like his traveling to devastated Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Additionally, he was hands-on active in the conservation of animals like the Great White shark.

All in all, only knowing Walker from his screen performances, I am glad I got to discover what a terrific human being he was in so many ways. With his tragic accident in 2013, the world did indeed suffer a major loss.

I first got to know about this actor through the first The Fast and the Furious movie where he was displayed as a hunky white and blue eyed guy showing the greatest charm that I've seen back then. That charm together with his role, displaying charisma and an uncanny ability to suck you into his energy were amazing. From that moment on I became a fan. This guy seemed like the complete male package.

How does someone cope with struggles & fame? How can you stay true to yourself? How can you keep on doing the things that you love? How does your life influence others? What is the message that you want others to understand?

The stories told about Paul Walker through his family, friends, colleagues and via his own video fragments in this documentary will give you an understanding of how Paul lived and wanted to live his life.

That life of his was abruptly ended by a fatal car accident. A man's life, just pulled to a stop because of one reckless moment. At that time, in 2013, when I heard/read the news about his fatal accident it stunned me tremendously. It is also the first time I found myself crying over an actor's death.

Actors die due to suicide or accidental OD's, like with Robin Williams, Heath Ledger, and others. But in the way this man's life ended is just a damn tragedy. Certainly too fast and too furious.

Rest well, Paul. One day you'll be reunited with your family again.

As a side-note I'd like to recommend the last movie with Paul Walker called Furious 7. It'll give an added contribution to his last moments.

I remember when I first heard this. like a bombshell. I was in my room, and heard the t,v. I thought my ears were horribly deceiving me. I flew off my bed, raced out into lounge. I was sort of devastated. How could something like this happen to Paul Walker, especially at this time, when his body of acting work, of late, was really becoming acknowledged. Check out Hours, Pawn Shop Chronicles, Brick Mansions to see what I mean. I've never been affecting this much by an actor's death before, and I never will be again. I really don't know how bigger star, he would of been today. This documentary, unlike no other, chronicles the life of our late star, painting a true picture of a man who gave with his heart, and lived life like no other. For me, there were some borderline teary eyed moments, especially, when viewing family footage of him as a nipper, doing his first screen test, even showing him as a four, five year old, with bushy hair, doing a doggy food ad. The documentary really captures, the inner true self of this special guy, and this almost masterpiece-ish docu is very affecting, the late Paul, wouldn't be disappointed at this tribute. If I had to meet one star in my life, without the exception of Willem Dafoe, this is someone I'd meet. A true humanitarian, and I'm humbly proud to say legend, who left us, way too soon. especially only months after his 40'th. Now that sucks. For Paul Walker fans, especially.

Coming to Cinemas for a limited release this friday in Australia, I Am Paul Walker takes a look at the life of the Fast & Furious actor through the lens of his family & close friends. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this film, I myself was a low key fan of Paul Walker and the Fast & Furious films, and I really thought that he was succeeding at finding more interesting roles before he tragically passed away a few years ago.

I ended up quite liking this documentary, mainly because it focuses more on Walker's upbringing and then struggles from the excessive fame he obtained after the Fast & Furious films by mainly interviewing family members & close friends instead of co-stars. The only exception to this is Tyrese Gibson who provides a nice balance without taking up an overwhelming part of the film, this gives I Am Paul Walker a very personal and intimate feeling.

Visually the film uses many family photos and home video (which there is a lot of) provided by the family and paints a very interesting portrait of the type of person that Paul Walker was, it is very clear that he was all about family, and helping others which makes the ending pack even more of a punch when they inevitably reach the day he went out in that porsche.

Overall I Am Paul Walker reveals an intimate picture of his early life right through to his stardom, being well edited and including many anecdotes from Walker's family & friends makes this film a must see for fans and people curious about struggles with fame. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and recommend to go see it this Friday (20th Sept) during it's limited theatrical run here in Australia.

Thanks to The Backlot Films for providing me with a screener for review.