Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with EliCross reporting in from Tribeca... He's got the skinny on the James Toback doco there called THE OUTSIDER and it sounds like the doco made for some great entertainment!
Eli Cross reviews The Outsider (NOT THE RALPH MACCHIO STORY)
Cheerio again all, for the final days of Tribeca are upon us and all points lie to one of the few films forgotten along the way. As I always say, "Like a good burger, there's always room for catch up."
THE OUTSIDER (1.33:1)
In 2001, writer Nicholas (got it right) Jarecki wrote a book called Breaking In: How 20 Directors Got Their Start. One of the subjects interviewed for the book is director James Toback. Three years after the book was published, Jarecki was informed that a new Toback film was being made in New York City. Nicholas jumped at the chance to film the making of Toback's picture When Will I Be Loved as a start of a very entertaining documentary on Toback who some collegues nickname "The Outsider" for his reputation for personal non-Hollywood films.
Jarecki interviewed many of the actors and filmmakers that Toback had worked with both in the movies he had directed and written. Meanwhile, there was one thing looming. When Will I Be Loved had international backing as long as the picture was done filming in 12 days beginning the obstacles and pitfalls of racing with the clock. But the struggle didn't end there.
This is not your everyday "making of" picture and The Outsider paints a great portrait of a smart filmmaker who has had his share of highs and lows and how he overcame adversity throughout his entire life. Seeing many of the clips from the films reminded this viewer of how much Toback is an actor's director of a different kind and is one of many directors that cannot resist the urge to cast himself in his picture in a small role.
The clips were combined well with the present day making and struggle of When Will I Be Loved and what his collegues have to say about him and his approach are worthwhile listens. They also provided me with a few more films to catch up with after the festival is done.
There's a great reason why many still follow his career and would love to work with him. He challenges his actors in a very simple way and does everything he can to have them look their best.
This is evident in a few unconscious symbolic moments during Roger Ebert's interview segments where behind his shoulder on the Ebert and Roeper set, the TV screens have images through the typeface of Ashford and Simpson, a musical duo. They have play no part in the film but one thing that they have that Toback has as well is that he keeps a good relationship between director and actor and Robert Downey Jr. speaks volumes about it.
Another great note is showing a little more playful side of Mike Tyson showing that there's more to him than just bite.
But in the end I was totally taken for a great ride with The Outsider learning a little more about this filmmaker looking into the impressive body of work he has built up as well as giving a really good making of When Will I Be Loved from it's quick start to it's struggling finish after all is put together. I gained a lot more respect for James Toback after viewing this film.
Nicholas Jarecki's The Outsider is a great documentary and a fantastic gem at the Tribeca Film Festival that highlights a talented filmmaker at work, flaws and all, that's also one of the great survivors of personal cinema that will continue to be looked at for years to come.
And to all that have crossed Eli's path, thank you for your company
(on a sidenote away from the review, much apologies to Nicholas for the first name confusion)
With all this excitement I could do a jig, or better yet, a charleston
EliCross
