William Eggleston in the Real World Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

  • Summary: This documentary examines that connection between the enigmatic personality and the groundbreaking work of one of the most significant figures in contemporary photography.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Reviewed by: Kenneth Baker
    100
    Filmmaker Michael Almereyda gives the most persuasive possible account of the upswing in Eggleston's critical standing.
  2. Mr. Eggleston proves the polished granddaddy who, early on, recognized beauty in a garish wasteland. In this accomplished look at a storied career, he instructs - without words - how to see all that is hauntingly familiar.
  3. Reviewed by: Ed Halter
    80
    Subtle, elegant documentary.
  4. 50
    The trouble with artists making documentaries about other artists is that art tends to get in the way.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. ChadS.
    6
    On film, using the same long takes of William Eggleston at work, on his feet with a camera in tow, shooting life, the viewer can imagine that a blow-by-blow account of the artistic process could make for compelling viewing. But "William Eggleston in the Real World" is shot on video tape. For photography neophytes(such as myself), we wait patiently for the narrator to explain his importance in the art world. If Eggleston is a humble man(he seems to hate the word "artist" as did the filmmaker John Ford), "William Eggleston in the Real World" is definitely not his cup of tea. Thankfully, there are the photographs. This original but slightly off-putting documentary shows us why in most biopics, we rarely see the artist at work. Snapping pictures is not dramatic, and it takes the mystery out of the finished product. Expand