Filmworker

Name: Filmworker
Genre: Documentary
Released: May 11, 2018
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Brian Capron, Danny Lloyd, Julian Senior, Leon Vitali, Marie Richardson

2018

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Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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Filmworker

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Movie Details & Credits

Kino Lorber | Release Date: May 11, 2018 | Not Rated

Starring: Brian Capron, Danny Lloyd, Julian Senior, Leon Vitali, Marie Richardson, Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Ryan O'Neal, Stellan Skarsgård, Tim Colceri

Summary: It's a rare person who would give up fame and fortune to toil in obscurity for someone else's creative vision. Yet, that's exactly what Leon Vitali did after his acclaimed performance as 'Lord Bullingdon" in Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon. The young actor surrendered his thriving career to become Kubrick's loyal right-hand man. For moreIt's a rare person who would give up fame and fortune to toil in obscurity for someone else's creative vision. Yet, that's exactly what Leon Vitali did after his acclaimed performance as 'Lord Bullingdon" in Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon. The young actor surrendered his thriving career to become Kubrick's loyal right-hand man. For more than two decades, Leon played a crucial role behind-the-scenes helping Kubrick make and maintain his legendary body of work. In Filmworker, Leon's candid, often funny, sometimes shocking experiences in the company of Kubrick are woven together with rich and varied elements including previously unseen photos, videos, letters, notebooks, and memos from Leon's private collection. Insightful, emotionally charged anecdotes from actors, family, crew members, and key film industry professionals who worked with Kubrick and Leon add an important layer of detail and impact to the story. Filmworker enters the world of Leon Vitali and Stanley Kubrick from a unique perspective that highlights the nitty-gritty of the creative process. By experiencing Leon's journey we come to understand how the mundane gives rise to the magnificent as timeless filmmaking is brought to life at its most practical and profound level.… Expand

Director: Tony Zierra

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 94 min

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Critic Reviews

David Fear

May 10, 2018

What makes this documentary more than just a feature-length DVD supplement is how these peeks behind the curtain are offset by a connect-the-dots case study of obsession and devotion taken to extremes. Read full review

Glenn Whipp

May 17, 2018

As a portrait of a man who surrendered his career and much of his life to the service of a master, Filmworker proves compelling, particularly for those with a passing interest in Kubrick. Read full review

Dave Calhoun

May 24, 2018

Kubrick himself rarely spoke about his work – which means this is a valuable insight into Kubrick's character and filmmaking process, as well as a frank look at what it means to give up your life to work at the side of a difficult creative genius. Read full review

Ignatiy Vishnevetsky

May 10, 2018

Matthew Modine — who wrote about Vitali repeatedly in his published diaries of the hellish production of "Full Metal Jacket" and is also interviewed in Filmworker — echoes what seems to be a common sentiment about Vitali: that the guy is a friendly mystery, either a glutton for punishment or a saint. Read full review

Dominick Suzanne-Mayer

May 23, 2018

Filmworker makes a compelling argument that the Kubrick who lives in cinematic legend may not have become the man he’s remembered for being without Vitali around. Read full review

Glenn Kenny

May 10, 2018

The material about Kubrick’s process is finally more interesting than the discussions about his temperament. Read full review

Tim Grierson

May 25, 2017

An inability to crack the movie’s central mystery — why abandon your dreams to help facilitate someone else’s? — leaves the project feeling a bit like a missed opportunity. Read full review

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User Reviews

Brent_Marchant

Jun 2, 2018

A fascinating look at a fascinating collaboration whose existence is in many ways a mystery but that nevertheless brought about one of the most impressive film repertoires in cinematic history. Leon Vitali may not be a household name, but his contributions to the works of Stanley Kubrick andA fascinating look at a fascinating collaboration whose existence is in many ways a mystery but that nevertheless brought about one of the most impressive film repertoires in cinematic history. Leon Vitali may not be a household name, but his contributions to the works of Stanley Kubrick and movies like "The Shining," "Full Metal Jacket," "Eyes Wide Shut" and "Barry Lyndon," as well as the preservation of such pictures as "Dr. Strangelove," "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "A Clockwork Orange." is incalculable. This riveting new documentary attempts to make up for that long-ignored contribution, showing the impact of the man behind the man and a treasure trove of celluloid classics. A release with widespread appeal but one sure to captivate film buffs and fans of Kubrick's work.… Expand

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DawdlingPoet

Nov 24, 2021

I found this a very insightful watch - I certainly respect the man, now im aware of all the work he's done for Kubrick and it seems a real shame he wasn't better known. It made me see Kubrick's films from a different angle - seeing things how Leon saw them. I find it interesting from theI found this a very insightful watch - I certainly respect the man, now im aware of all the work he's done for Kubrick and it seems a real shame he wasn't better known. It made me see Kubrick's films from a different angle - seeing things how Leon saw them. I find it interesting from the technical side of film making to the personal history side of things between Leon Vitali and Stanley Kubrick. It certainly makes it clear how much Vitali respected Kurbrick and his work before he had an opportunity to be noticed by him. However, I felt there was a slightly unnecessary cheesiness present towards the end, which was a shame. Still, I would happily recommend this documentary overall.… Expand

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