William S. Burroughs: A Man Within
William S. Burroughs: A Man Within Image
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Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics What's this?

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  • Summary: Featuring never-before-seen archival footage of Burroughs, as well as exclusive interviews with colleagues and confidants including John Waters, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Gus Van Sant, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Sonic Youth, Laurie Anderson, Amiri Baraka, Jello Biafra, and David Cronenberg, William S. Burroughs: A Man Within is a probing, yet loving look at the man whose works at once savaged conservative ideals, spawned countercultural movements, and reconfigured 20th century culture. The film is narrated by Peter Weller, with a soundtrack by Patti Smith and Sonic Youth.
    Burroughs was one of the first writers to break the boundaries of queer and drug culture in the 1950's. His novel Naked Lunch is one of the most recognized and respected literary works of the 20th century and has influenced generations of artists. The intimate documentary breaks the surface of the troubled and brilliant world of one of the greatest authors of all time. (Oscilloscope Laboratories)    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Boxoffice Magazine
    Reviewed by: Pam Grady
    Nov 13, 2010
    80
    Leyser has done his job with this, his first feature, burnishing Burroughs' legend and making manifest the enormous shadow he still casts over writers and artists of all stripe.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Lewis
    Mar 10, 2011
    75
    The film is never dull. And director Yony Leyser has come up with an ending that will take your breath away. Burroughs would probably be proud.
  3. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    Feb 3, 2011
    75
    A breezily stylized, very enjoyable trot through the writer's life, theme by theme, era by era.
  4. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Frank Scheck
    Nov 18, 2010
    60
    Contains enough fascinating archival footage to make it worthy of interest.

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