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- 2014
- Not Rated
- Sundance Selects
- 1 h 23 m
- 2014
- Not Rated
- Sundance Selects
- 1 h 23 m
Summary Who is Vivian Maier? Now considered one of the 20th century's greatest street photographers, Vivian Maier was a mysterious nanny who secretly took over 100,000 photographs that went unseen during her lifetime. Since buying her work by chance at auction, amateur historian John Maloof has crusaded to put this prolific photographer in the h...
Directed By: John Maloof, Charlie Siskel
Written By: John Maloof, Charlie Siskel
- 2014
- Not Rated
- Sundance Selects
- 1 h 23 m
- 2014
- Not Rated
- Sundance Selects
- 1 h 23 m
Finding Vivian Maier
75
8.0
Where to Watch
Summary Who is Vivian Maier? Now considered one of the 20th century's greatest street photographers, Vivian Maier was a mysterious nanny who secretly took over 100,000 photographs that went unseen during her lifetime. Since buying her work by chance at auction, amateur historian John Maloof has crusaded to put this prolific photographer in the h...
Directed By: John Maloof, Charlie Siskel
Written By: John Maloof, Charlie Siskel
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
75
89% Positive
24 Reviews
24 Reviews
11% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
75
89% Positive
24 Reviews
24 Reviews
11% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Maier is a great artist who discounted adulation entirely. Her life was a masquerade; her genius, quite literally, was unexposed.
It’s a big puzzle that the filmmakers piece together in an intriguing and engrossing way.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 27 User Ratings
8.0
81% Positive
22 Ratings
22 Ratings
15% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
4% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 27 User Ratings
8.0
81% Positive
22 Ratings
22 Ratings
15% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
4% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
street photography is very challenging; Maier could approach the subject, frame the shot and shoot at the correct moment to capture the art . she used old school cameras that required manual exposer and manual focusing the subject. if you are a photographer, you will love this documentary.
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This is a fascinating documentary about the life and work of this recluse artist. Ms. Maier indeed suffered from mental health issues which became apparent as her life is revealed, both by her work and by the people who thought they knew her although no one really did. She was probably abused as a child but there was no proof despite the extensive investigation into her past, what little could be found. It's follows like a well scripted mystery how this unattached spinster came to make the briefest contact with ordinary people she photographed so profusely. She also had a cruel side which was revealed by several of the now adult children she worked with as a nanny. The interviews are candid and honest as the story unfolds. This film, which includes many of her insightful and sensitive photos which were her life work, is truly worth seeing.
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Because her tale is so fascinating, movie-making formula is all that's needed.
An engaging documentary attempt to probe her mystery, and it offers some answers - she was secretive and stubborn, a hoarder of epic proportions who seems to have had fits of instability. She also wasn't always nice to her young charges.
Even as this fine documentary unveils the "mystery woman," as she once described herself, it remains intent on the molding of her myth. [31 March 2014, p.80]
She was a true talent. And yet Maloof and Siskel’s film presents an interesting moral quandary along with its profile of an amazing photographer. When does creative ability and the desire to share a true artist’s eye trump what has to be considered an invasion of privacy?
Maier’s images are truly stunning—vivid documents of the working class that are off-the-cuff yet rigorously composed, always capturing that enigmatic bit of her subject’s soul that leaves you in spine-tingled awe.
An engaging documentary about an enigmatic recluse -- and an incredible talent -- whose works weren't discovered until after her passing. The film features a montage of beautiful images and a mystery story that's as compelling as any fictional film.
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Very enjoyable as I am a photographer myself, but honestly the story is intriguing enough and well shot that you need not be a photobug to actually enjoy it. I kinda wish it had been longer and even more in depth. It definitely left you wanting to know more...asking more questions about why this woman kept her work a secret, what problems she may have had etc. I went into this with tempered expectations and enjoyed it more than anticipated. Her photos speak for themselves.
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An esoteric and informative doc, plays out like an unfolding mystery. The filmmaker's ambivalence in regards to showing Maier's very personal and purposefully shielded work makes for interesting discussion, though this topic isn't delved into as deeply or passionately as we'd like. The focus of the film is more on the life and work of Vivian Maier, who proves to be an interesting enough subject to keep our attention for an agreeably brief running time. Worth a watch, maybe once.
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vivian maier's photography is stunning. for that alone, watch the film. the stories told about her as a nanny are intriguing. her employers (there were lots-how she went from family to family, making deep impressions on each, is remarkable. as a nanny myself, i can't imagine working with so many) all remember her very vividly. the film would've been far stronger if maloof had kept himself out of it and simply narrated. he's a serious artist and collector, but his presence makes the film seem sometimes goofy and light. neither quality describes maier's work.
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Production Company
Ravine Pictures
Release Date Mar 28, 2014
Duration 1 h 23 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
Tagline The discovery that rocked the art world.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Portland International Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Palm Springs International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
