Here we have a classic fallen star story, almost to the point of seeming like a cliché. But, as is often the case, reality proves far more tragic than fiction. Does it take liberties on reality? Sure, but what biopic doesn't? I don't feel the film takes so dramatic liberties to change the nature of the story, and neither does his eldest son. Just because his youngest son, busily making money off his dad's porno videos, objects shouldn't be enough to dissuade you from seeing the film. The writing is excellent. Great story-telling, especially for a biopic. The acting is very strong, too. Greg Kinnear is phenomenal and probably should get an Oscar nod but he won't. Willam Dafoe might, though, for his portrayal of John Carpenter which was just as strong. Maria Bello was also impressive as Patricia Crane, though I didn't really care for Rita Wilson. The only real failing in the film is the direction. I found it chaotic at points and very questionable at other times. The choice to pixelate scenes that would have earned the film an X rating particularly troubled me. I don't mind them cutting the material out, but I didn't understand why we had to look at several frames of a pixelated image filling the screen. Surely, something else could have been done. Heck, even adapt it into an artistic effect. Anything but a blatant bit of censoring. Also, some techniques struck me as much less than subtle in trying to convey changing tone. I normally don't notice that kind of thing, and that's how I like it. Nevertheless, it is a great and gritty film, well worth a visit to the theatre.
Review of Auto Focus
