Comments on Screen Savour: Primary (1960)

Ha!

2008-08-30T09:24:00.000-04:00

Ha!

You're right, you're an awful person. Grey Gardens...

2008-08-30T09:07:00.000-04:00

You're right, you're an awful person. Grey Gardens is, well it's...damn, actually I've never seen it either. But Gimme Shelter is one of my favorite films of all time - and a half-hour interview/press junket with Brando (which I caught on TV once) was fantastic, but I don't think it's on DVD.

Primary is a really interesting film, even ...

2008-08-29T22:48:00.000-04:00

Primary is a really interesting film, even though it feels like it might be maybe 15 minutes too long (the final 15) when the film comes off the campaign trail and lingers around interiors as Kennedy and Humphrey wait for the returns to be counted. It is undoubtedly part of the story, but 48 years later it feels like it drags a bit because the results don't seem as fresh as they must have been in 1960 (even knowing then who had won the primary). While the two are out on the campaign trail, it's about as informative and entertaining as vérité can be. Definitely more entertaining than my life; agreed.

I like cinéma vérité a lot, and agree on Pennebaker and Maysles. One of my regrets is that I haven't posted reviews of more documentaries, but Salesman and Gimme Shelter are on the short list of possible reviews soon. I haven't seen Grey Gardens (I know, I know, I'm an awful person), but I'm excited to see it.

Sounds like you were somewhat underwhelmed, despit...

2008-08-29T21:36:00.000-04:00

Sounds like you were somewhat underwhelmed, despite the 4-star rating. What do you think of cinema verite in general - and the Maysles in particular (I know they didn't direct this one but obviously their involvement was substantial).

I haven't seen Primary but I love the Maysles and Pennebaker works I've seen - even the ones that (like the Beatles doc) essentially just follow interesting people around in their day-to-day monotony which is, of course, much more interesting than your or my day-to-day monotony (I assume). Maybe this one is a little more dull, though.

Pertinent post though - this has certainly been a politically interesting week - not to stray too far from the movie-focus of my online blogging...