By Brad Hanson.
Samuel Fuller is often regarded as one of the most important independent American filmmakers of the 20th century.
This epitaph of sorts features collected collaborators and admirers of Fuller’s work reading his memoirs within the confines of Fuller’s own chaotic office.
Intercut with footage from his movies, as well as never-before-seen footage from Fuller’s personal archives, it paints a rich tapestry of the Hollywood outsider.
Best known for White Dog, The Big Red One & Shock Corridor, Fuller’s unconventional narratives and socio-political commentaries are a cornerstone for any budding cinephile. However, Samantha Fuller’s documentary sadly doesn’t do his body of work justice. Relying on star names such as Wim Wenders, James Franco & Tim Roth – the film still struggles to transcend its niche subject matter to appeal to a wider audience.
The book, A Third Face: My Tale of Writing, Fighting and Filmmaking that provides the narrative meat of this film, I’m sure is a solid, enjoyable read. The film however feels irrelevant and perfunctory. Well-intentioned and done with passion and love – but ultimately coming across stale and repetitive.
Using only Fuller’s words is an admirable and different approach, often these talking head tributes can become over-anecdotal and self-congratulatory but it felt at times that some of the contributors waxing lyrical about Fuller would have been quite refreshing.
Fans of Fuller will enjoy the revelatory insights into his early life as a newsboy and crime reporter, as an American infantryman that inspired him to write a slew of war-time tales in the 1950s. His own words are soaked in gravitas and wit – often delivered well by the contributors. For the casual viewer, there isn’t much to sustain interest here.
A Fuller Life is released 15th May 2015 by Contemporary Films.
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