STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces
★★★★
There's a scene in this documentary when Steve Martin starts to tear up reminiscing about John Candy's performance in one of my favorite movies, Planes, Trains and Automobiles. This scene alone made me adore this documentary. Steve Martin is one of my favorite comedians/entertainers/artists ever. I listened to all of his standup albums as a kid and though this documentary reminded me that there is a slew of his films that I haven't seen, his movies have a special place in my heart. The documentary also reinforces how complex and philosophical his material can be.
I appreciated the past/present approach this film takes, but it might have been better served in three parts. His past, his films and his life now. As much as I love Steve Martin, I wondered if someone who isn't a super fan of his could stick with it. This film was made for the die-hards and it's nice to see a retrospective on a once-in-a-lifetime talent before a sad death. It's also a delight to see that the rapport between him and Martin Short is just as fun and dynamic as on screen.
