A documentary that allows Faye Dunaway to tell her own story in her own words. Often with this type of documentary, we get surface level, and the director is only comfortable going as far as the subject matter is willing to let them. I’m always pleasantly surprised when someone reveals anything about them that is less than perfect, and Faye Dunaway does that. She also gets to comment on a few of her most enduring performances, like Network and Bonnie And Clyde, and why she can’t stand wire hangers.
A handful of commentators, including her son, help bring perspective, but this is basically a documentary for film lovers, and a curtain call for a screen legend to have the final word on her own career. It mostly succeeds, but with all living legends, there’s always a feeling of the things left unsaid, the stories untold, and what those moments could do to offer more color in a documentary like this. Sometimes, people have an idea that talking about a topic will be negative for them, but often ends up allowing them to connect with fans on an even deeper level.
There’s little connection to Faye’s influence on the LGBT community, though maybe she just isn’t aware. She may just mean more to others than she even realizes.
What I Look For In Audio Description: Documentaries are audio description hell, because they have so many interviews, so much talking, that it is hard to even know who is on screen. Luckily, it is easy to recognize Faye, as a fan of hers, but the others all need that reminder as to why they are there. I did pick up on her son fairly easily, but more than just the two of them talk. There’s also film clips, and footage from throughout her life. Lots to reflect on, mention, give credence to, and it isn’t easy.
What It Does: I’ve been wanting to touch base with point 360 for a while now. i actually think they make pretty good stuff, just maybe a few tweaks. Here, James Mason wrote a “best case scenario” script that does talk about a lot of the footage from the myriad of films featured, and does manage to introduce at least once, I believe, everyone who speaks. If we could try to touch base a second time, I’d love to say that I’m super amazing at memorizing voices, but that isn’t my superpower. Grading documentaries is grading on a curve. If the doc is edited with non-stop talking, what can you do? Mason makes the best out of this edited film. And, Tonya Alexander is fine as a narrator. I’m not familiar with her enough to recognize that name, but I didn’t have problems.
Final Thoughts: It’s basically a layup. But, even with a layup in basketball you score. It just isn’t that super impressive stylish shot. Faye is the equivalent of that. She’s such a legend, that with her depth of work, putting a camera in front of her is a no brainer. I’ve said this before, but this string of documentaries on famous people is basically content creation for streamers. Low cost, potentially high reward.
Final Grade: B+
