Friedkin Uncut

William Friedkin, actors and film makers who have worked with him and admire him, and Zubin Mehta talk about Friedkin.

The writer Gene Wolfe once said that you never learn how to write a novel; you just learn how to write the novel you're writing. Friedkin's philosophy of directing a movie seems to consist of doing as much research as possible, casting right, seeking spontaneity, and taking chances. I'm not sure there's much more insight to his creative process than tat on view, but there is a lot of admiration on offer, not only for Friedkin, but for other film makers by Friedkin, including Fritz Lang and Buster Keaton.

I also learned that Friedkin directed operas, which is how Mehta comes into this mix.

If they had just cut down on some of the shots of him standing and posing in front of signs, or maybe some of the film festival stuff, they could have, I dunno COVERED MORE OF HIS CAREER than just 5 movies? Like I get it, French Connection, Exorcist, Sorcerer, To Live and Die in LA, and Killer Joe were his best but it would have still been nice to hear about the rest, at least a bit.

I did appreciate his wearing his pants like a grandpa (high up on the gut) though. And he's totally unfiltered, but this was way too slight to be a career overview. More like a conversation.

The best thing about this documentary on the life and films of William Friedkin is Friedkin himself. He comes across as a most engaging fellow. Not lovable mind you, or even very likable (not sure I'd like to have dinner with the guy), but most engaging. Whenever he is onscreen talking about art versus professionalism (hint: he prefers the later) or the silliness of awards shows or the over ratedness of rehearsals and multiple takes it is most refreshing. While valuing his craft Friedkin does not fool himself into thinking he is a Mastermind. Skilled entertainer will do him just fine and such modesty/honesty is most welcome in an industry that tends toward the overblown and the hyperbolic.

Still, I agree with a number of the previous reviewers who feel that this doc is on the thin side. I mean, the guy was married four times (one of them being JEANNE MOREAU, for cryin out loud) and had two kids. But aside from a throwaway remark by Damian Chazzelle none are mentioned. Sure would have been nice if we knew why the guy needed four tries to get the husband/wife thing right. And it would have been even nicer if we could have been privy to whether or not he was a good dad, especially considering the fact that he admired his own father. The film is titled "Friedkin Uncut" but it seems like they cut a lot. B minus.

PS...For the record, of the talking heads not named Friedkin my faves were Ellen Burstyn and Willem Defoe and my least fave, as usual, the windbag called Tarantino (who seems like he's trotted out for every post 1970s film doc).

Film director William Friedkin opens this documentary on his career by saying, "The two most fascinating people who ever lived were Hitler and Jesus. There's good and bad in all of us." He spends the next few minutes hoping to clarify his viewpoint, not helping himself by adding: "The devil was a creature from God...but he went bad! I've had evil thoughts...I've had good thoughts...it's a constant struggle for humanity...for every human being to have their goodness overcome their dark side." Francis Ford Coppola, presumably a friend, is interviewed about "The Exorcist", saying, "If I were to work on that subject matter, I would have--probably--tried to deal with the evil through metaphor...Billy didn't do that, he just went for it! He didn't mince around. He shows it...over and over again...in the most direct possible way. In Billy's film, it's not implied, it's shown. He doesn't philosophize about evil, he shows you evil." Growing up in a Jewish household in Chicago from Ukrainian parents, Friedkin was poor but didn't know it ("Everyone around us lived the same way"); he was a prankster who got a job in the mailroom of a television station, remaining there for two years before moving into production (his filmmaking ambitions took hold after seeing Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane"). His parents didn't understand his love for the medium because TV was still new, but the future Oscar winner obviously had chutzpah and talent. Interviews with friends, colleagues and the subject himself fill us in on what came after, and fans of the director's films ("The French Connection", "Sorcerer" and "Cruising" among them) will find much to enjoy here. Still, this isn't a moving or enlightening portrait. How could it possibly be? Friedkin is a good talker, a showman--often an arrogant, insufferable one--but not a guy who looks inward for the truth. He's too busy running his mouth. ** from ****

I'm not sure what I expected, but this surely wasn't "Friedkin Uncut." There are very little insights into who he is and why he does what he does and if there is any rhyme or reason to it. It's a bunch of head shots of people whp have been in his films or helped him create them and everyone loves him. OK. But that's not worth the time.