If you're a Stanley Kubrick fan or a movie buff in general (suffice to say I am both), you'll really enjoy the 2017 documentary FILM WORKER.
We meet young actor Leon Vitali, who memorably plays the dueling Lord Bullingdon in Kubrick's 1975 classic "Barry Lyndon".
Enamored with the legendary director, Vitali all but ended his acting career to become Kubrick's right hand man for the rest of Kubrick's life.
The fascinating spin here is that Vitali qualifies as the least appreciated assistant on the planet. He defines 24/7. Holidays are meaningless as Kubrick calls on Christmas like a film legend Scrooge to yell at him about a DVD transfer.
The best part of the film for Kubrick fans is all the behind the scenes footage on the sets of "The Shining" and "Full Metal Jacket".
"Eyes Wide Shut" is also detailed and the unknown tidbits are fascinating.
For the first hour of the film, I was enthralled with Vitali's stories of the sets, the actors and all things Kubrick.
Matthew Modine and Ryan O'Neal bring plenty of insight into Vitali & Kubrick during their on camera interviews. As the leads in "Lyndon" and "Jacket", they bring real weight and credibility.
The final half hour grows repetitive as the film details Vitali's struggles after Kubrick's death. I began to grow frustrated with Vitali for not demanding more compensation for his time as he carries Stanley's torch year after year, often for free.
He's clearly the one man in the universe that understands every frame of Kubrick's classic films shoulder-to-shoulder with the director. Somewhere right now, the 72 year old Vitali is singing the praises of Stanley or doing something to preserve the man's legacy.
Here's hoping this film finally gives the man some of the recognition he so richly deserves for his personal devotion and commitment.
As a documentary it's 2/3 of a great tribute, balanced with the fact that one of film's all time greats was also one of the most toxic bosses of all time.
FILM WORKER gets a B-.
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