Iris

This exceptional documentary, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Albert Maysles (who passed away this year at the age of 88), is filled with wit and humor. It focuses on the life and career of Iris Apfel, fashion icon and interior designer, who has been involved in restorations in the White House, the Senate building, and Stephen Foster's My Old Kentucky Home, among many others. She's also had her clothes and accessories exhibited in many museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Norton Gallery.

Apfel, who was 90-years-old at the time of the filming, by her own admission would rather find a $4 accessory item at a flea market or small shop rather than go to an expensive high couture establishment, as she loves the chase for interesting items and always uses her gut instincts for her selections.

What struck me as much as her amazing collection of unique items over the years was her striking personality and charisma. Although she admits to some aging at the age of 90, she often displays a wonderful sense of humor, expresses her most interesting philosophies of life, and always seems to be at ease no matter what the situation. Unfortunately, her husband of some 66+ years Carl, who played a key role in the movie, passed away early this month just a few days shy of his 101st birthday.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this film highlighted by Apfel's humor and charismatic personality, and this documentary is one of the best I've seen in a while.

And more power to her! But this documentary really tells you nothing much about her personal life, how she broke into the 'fashion world' or where she got the money to live the lavish world traveling, collector of things, New York City society lifestyle. I'm thinking it must be her husbands money because it is made clear she came from a 'working class' background.

She developed an eye for color & shape & texture and how to put complementing objects together to create her own fashion style. Unfortunately (for me) I was left with the impression she just created a clownish appearance with great style. You must admit she make a bizarre looking old broad when she's all dolled up in her brick-a-brac collection of fabrics and oversize jewelery.

This documentary is high in color but low on information about this 90 plus years old woman's life.

If you've ever seen September Issue and found that interesting you will find this a companion piece to that film. I found myself wondering if Anna Wintour had seen this and what she would think of it. I think she would have found this Luke warm.

Here is a 90 year old woman still going strong, still sharing items she's collected over the years, pieces of clothing, jewelry and accessories. She has no intentions of slowing down. She does interviews, goes to shows showing little signs of tiring. But is this inspirational? Is it fascinating? Not really. Something was lacking here and it isn't her fault. The filmmakers ask a few questions but never dig too deep. Some of the scenes we see here were much more artfully done in Devil Wears Prada and even September Issue itself. This couple traveled the world to buy things and it could have been more interesting had they shared some great stories about the places they had visited. Instead it was just buy this, buy that, spend money on this, spend money on that. It all sort of seemed plastic and not meaningful.

I do indeed appreciate Iris and her taste in fashion and her ability to go on at 90. But what was it all for? There is no deadline, no assignment. What was her job specifically? And for how long? It's all a bit vague and becomes tiring.

When I saw IRIS for the first time, the advertisement of Zenni Optical.

She has been so energized and creative. I am already a big fan of her now.

She is so straight up and honest in her life and dedicated to her husband all her life.

Her husband said, "it's not dull marriage. Nobody knows what she does at the end. " It's so cool. And he said that he met her for the first time, he felt fate. "Something about her," he said.

And they don't have kids and never wanted so I felt the same way. I've watched this movie twice already.

IRIS –The story of clothing collector Iris Apfel. Be yourself. Do your own thing. With her trademark HUGE black, round glasses, Iris works her way through stores, shows, and her own closet. The only child of a Jewish couple from NYC, she studied art history, ran her own textile company, and even did several white-house make-overs. She sure does like big, giant bangles, necklaces! it's amazing she can stand up with all those heavy necklaces that she wears through most of the film. It's kind of fun watching her toddle along, bartering hardcore with shop-keepers. Iris is TOTALLY photogenic, and loves to talk, so it must have been a pretty easy project to do. She's a collector (Hoarder ?) and has had her own exhibits of her collections of clothes and jewelry. Directed by Albert Maysles, who did TONS of documentaries. He passed away March of 2015, and I see they are still editing his latest two works to release at some point. I see there is no "written by" credit on this one, so Iris must have done most of the gabbing herself. Quite a fun film to watch. Very upbeat. Catch it on netflix. It's one big long run-on sentence, but it's still fun to watch. Kind of makes one wonder what one has accomplished in one's own life. Inspiring.