Hey folks, Harry here with a look at THE KID STAYS IN THE PICTURE. Recently I had the pleasure to have a very long conversation with Robert Evans, the notorious/glorious Exec/Producer/Personality throughout the KEY years in that 'golden era' of the late sixties and seventies film at PARAMOUNT. I found out a great many little stories in my conversation with him, that I've been forming into a story - but it is taking a while. Given the type of material he and I were discussing, it warrants further research and careful forming, so my piece about Evans and mine's conversation about that period of film and this film of his THE KID STAYS IN THE PICTURE will be coming soon. I've heard a lot of great buzz about this film - Moriarty tells me that it is the funniest film of the summer... At some levels it is said to resemble a documentary, but it is also a performance piece - and something pop-ish as well. I'd love to hear more reactions to the film, as it doesn't look like I'll get to see it, because it was playing in the one theater I don't wish to see movies at in Austin due to the fact my TV is better (and that ain't so grand). However - perhaps you'll fare better than me. Here ya go...
Hello Harry, longtime reader and first time (hopeful)contributor. I just came from Landmark's Embarcadero cinemas in San Francisco. Robert Evans was there to talk about the new documenatary "The Kid Stays In The Picture."
I arrived to the theater winded because I had just ran several blocks to get there thinking that i was going to be late. I wasn't. After finding a reasonable seat (the theater was starting to fill up with rich people) I settled in and waited for the man to appear.
Robert appeared shortly (looking very similar to the colonel from Boogie Nights) with a tall blonde woman on his arm. The theater was a bit dark at the time but this lady did not look over thirty! From where i was sitting she looked good. Anyway, I could talk about her all night but back to the review. After Robert was introduced he took the mic and proceeded to tell everyone about why the movie is called the kid stays in the picture.
He went through a lot of things in his life and about his formerly strained relationship with his son (which didn't really come out in the movie as it did when he was standing in front of the audience.) He also talked about the writing of his book and how uncathardic it was (he quipped that if it was depressing writing it, it was really depressing writing it over and over again!) He closed his speech saying that other than Coca-Cola, american movies are consistantly a big import in any country around the world. He was then greeted with a nice applause as the manager (i presume) presented the movie. Now to the movie review.
I really enjoyed "The Kid Stays In The Picture." The scenes of Robert Evan's home were really nice and had the look and feel of something very Errol Morris (i.e. like in Fast, Cheap, And Out Of Control or The Thin Blue Line.) As far as a documentary, the visual style was rather unusual, it played kind of like a comic book. Images were placed on top of one another and moved slightly to create movement within the frame that would have been shown as a set of stills otherwise.
The music choices were interesting and let you know what era things were happening in. All in all I would say this was a very good movie, I plan on seeing it again. The Rosemary's Baby footage was really nice and the part where he saves Paramount was a real indicator of who Robert Evans was in Hollywood.
Also "Getting High On Yourself" is hilarious, you will know what I mean when you see the movie. Okay that's my review, I have one question before I go though.
Keep up the good work on the site. I come here everyday and love it.
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