The beloved author and comedian receives the time-honoured documentary profile treatment by pal Robert B Weide.
Known for his satirical novels that both stressed and parodied the inequalities rife in modern society, author Kurt Vonnegut released 14 novels, three short story collections, five non-fiction works and wrote five plays during a profile career. His 25-year friendship with the documentary filmmaker Robert B Weide – who directs here – brings about an insightful profile piece that tells the writer’s story as well as charting the monumental influence he exerted on culture at large.
The film is built using a mix of interviews, archive footage and animated cut-aways, as the life of Vonnegut is shown to have been plagued by misfortune: from the tragic death of his sister Alice to his mother’s suicide in 1944. It covers the writer’s eventful life from start to finish, delving into his experiences as a prisoner of war in Germany during the World War Two – an event that would one day become the inspiration for seminal 1969 tome, ‘Slaughterhouse-Five’. The novel is an anti-war story that propelled his fame to new heights after reaching fourth place the New York Times bestseller list.
Weide’s friendship with the esteemed writer allows for an authentic study of the acclaimed writer’s life, covering not only his prosperous career but also his domestic life through both home videos and interviews with family members. However, not all was sunshine and rainbows, and the film is happy to focus on its subject’s flaws. The writer had to confront his distressing experience as a soldier and deal with his own bout of unfaithfulness to first wife Jane Marie Cox.
The documentary showcases how Vonnegut interacted with his family throughout his career, explaining that he could go from an upbeat and joyous person to an antisocial hermit in the space of a day. Not only was he an established writer, but he was also a part time comedian, shown through clips displayed throughout the documentary as he made use of his crude humour to tell hilarious jokes at talks and readings.
With his substantial influence came a mass of devoted fans who idolised him, driving across the country to meet him, with some even staying at his own house for days on end. In fact, Weide’s own infatuation with the acclaimed writer helps this documentary to become a very personal chronicle of an interesting and influential life. Weide creates a documentary that even those unfamiliar with Vonnegut and his legacy can enjoy.
Published 19 Jul 2022
A doc profile told from a companion’s perspective – could go either way really.
An authentic look into one man’s fascinating life
A well made story sprinkled with emotion and hardship.
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