The Bill Murray Experience

I am not hugely into docs but I really loved this! I loved how real the actress was in this. It was just very truthful. I loved the journey and you could tell that it really changed her in the end. I thought it was funny, and delightful, gritty and true to the real hollywood.

In 1986, pseudo-journalist Geraldo Rivera gave us the massively hyped "Mystery of Al Capone's Vaults", a 2-hour show where Geraldo promised to crack open on live TV the secret stash of America's most notorious crime lord. What would we find? Cash? Jewels? Jimmy Hoffa's body? No, ultimately a very embarrassed Geraldo unveiled merely a room full of dirt and a few empty bottles, after which he reportedly went across the street and got smashed on tequila.

"The Bill Murray Experience" is the same ride, an 81-minute show that focuses on Sadie Katz's singular mission to uncover the whereabouts of comedy legend Bill Murray. And although you may have noticed Bill Murray listed 2nd in the credits, don't expect anything along the lines of Jimmy Hoffa. Maybe a bottle of tequila after the credits roll.

This film's strength--and downfall--is in its realism. It's a strength because it's like a slice of real life, despite its madcap premise (girl stalks Bill Murray). But it's a downfall because the realism means there aren't any interesting twists, clever angles or witty dialogue. It's like, literally, a girl stalks Bill Murray. And not even creepy/insane stalking, but just sorta politely stalking.

For me the best parts of the film were around the middle when we get a tragicomic glimpse of how this bizarre pilgrimmage is ruining Sadie's life. Whether it was real or acted, this was the part that gave some depth and humanity to Sadie's character as she loses all her friends, her home and her boyfriend. The only problem is that this part of the story is grazed over in less than 5 minutes, if even that. Just a speedbump, and then it's back to planning her next escapade. I was really hoping we'd see Sadie totally lose it, either comically or tragically, as it dawned on her that no sane person would dedicate a year to chasing Bill Murray around the country, much less film it. That could've given this film the drama it needed.

So without any comedic gags or funny plot elements, the entire film ends up resting on the payoff... When is Bill Murray going to appear? He's in the credits, right? Surely nobody would make an 81-min movie about stalking Bill Murray without having some kind of moneyshot finish? I mean... right?

Pass the tequila, Geraldo.

You've probably read the harsh adjectives about this film and its creator on this site and Amazon: "self promotional, self absorbed, exploitative." Well, I lived in L.A. for twelve years, so as the great Randy Newman sang about that city, "feels like home to me." Also, its production values are severely lacking, even for a guerilla style documentary. They weren't filming in a warzone or anything, so I can't really excuse that flaw.

But it's also sincere to the point of insanity (literally). To me, it didn't drag much because Sadie Katz is charismatic and easy on the eyes, and she often addresses the camera directly. So I was half in a trance for a large portion of it.

As other people have noted, P.J. Soles revealed fascinating information about the making of "Stripes" and general tidbits about Bill Murray.

I met Bill once during 2015. He refused to sign autographs, but he shook everyone's hand, including mine. I think that he is the best comedic actor of all time, so I should have been elated. But as Sadie states throughout the film, I wanted a more "organic" experience. Bill was polite and kind, but the gesture was perfunctory, and he seemed tired. So in a somewhat horrifying way, I can relate to Sadie Katz more than I want to admit to myself.

It was obvious from the beginning she was trying to force an experience to happen which isn't real. The whole point of the experience is Bill Murray shows up places unexpectedly and does different crazy things with people. Its not chasing him around with a hundred ballons trying to get him to do something off the cuff for her. It just didnt make sense and she didn't realize it till the end. I kinda feel bad for her but she is a young and attractive actress she will be fine. I hope Bill Murray shows up at her house one day.

For the first two thirds of this documentary, I would say it was painful and sad to watch the young and vivacious actress Sadie Katz (who also directed the film) totally obsessing about having her Bill Murray Experience, to the point of having to check herself into a hospital for exhaustion.

What is this Bill Murray Experience you ask? Reportedly, the iconic actor and comedian is known for randomly crashing various events, such as bachelor parties, ice cream socials, and kickball games, and, of course, causing quite a shock for those who were attending those events.

Well, Katz, after having her engagement broken and other events in her life taking a downturn, began to become totally immersed and, as mentioned, obsessed with finding a way of connecting with Murray and having her own impromptu experience with him.

Thank goodness, this doc, in its final third began to take a better turn, beginning with the interview with the actress P.J. Soles. She worked with Murray on a couple of films, and gave Katz some bona fide behind-the-scenes info regarding her experiences with him on the set of "Stripes".

I won't give away any spoilers here as to how this ended up, but let's just say, for me, the movie took a near 180 as it concluded, and I would say it was all for the best.