IMDb RATING
7.4/10
6.2K
YOUR RATING
A documentary about writer and director Brian De Palma.A documentary about writer and director Brian De Palma.A documentary about writer and director Brian De Palma.
- Awards
- 1 win & 4 nominations
Mark Hamill
- Self
- (archive footage)
Amy Irving
- Self
- (archive footage)
Kurt Russell
- Self
- (archive footage)
Sissy Spacek
- Self
- (archive footage)
Steven Spielberg
- Self
- (archive footage)
Angela Bettis
- Carietta 'Carrie' White
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Jill Clayburgh
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Clarence Clemons
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
William Finley
- Winslow
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- …
Vincent Gardenia
- Doctor Byrd
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Don Harvey
- Clark
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Annette Haven
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Gale Anne Hurd
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Holly Johnson
- Singing Nightclub Doorman
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Alan King
- Arthur Ruskin
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaPaltrow and Baumbach filmed Brian De Palma for one week in 2010, collecting about 30 hours worth of interview footage. De Palma, sitting in Paltrow's living room and talking about his career, wore the same shirt every day for continuity's sake. But the movie ended up premiering in 2015 and the director made another movie years after the interview, which explains why when he talks about Passion the viewer only hears his voice but doesn't see him talking.
- GoofsFemme Fatale (2002)'s release date is incorrectly listed as 2000, both in the body of the film and in the end credits.
- Quotes
[repeated line]
Brian De Palma: Holy mackerel.
- ConnectionsFeatures The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
- SoundtracksDe Palma (Main Title Theme)
Written by Nathan Johnson
Courtesy of Choplogic Music
Under license from Nathan Johnson
Featured review
a mixed result
A documentary film exposes the life and career of Hollywood director Brian De Palma who began making films fifty years ago.
This film tells a fine history, not just of De Palma's films or films in general, but also of the various historical events that influenced movies throughout the decades. Any history of the period that began in the late 60s and continued through the 70s is always welcome. De Palma mentions that there was much more freedom in those days before the business lobby took over Hollywood in the 80s and continued dominance ever since.
There is enjoyable nostalgia in seeing clips of De Palma's films (which include a young, pre-stardom Robert De Niro) and those of other films that influenced him. These clips are the only alternative to this movie's main source of storytelling: De Palma himself narrating his history. While he is engaging and never dull as a speaker, the documentary feels incomplete as it lacks interviews from others - whether they be specifically for this film or older film clips from friends and foes.
At one point, the renowned director mentions that he was condemned as misogynist for depicting violence against women. While he defends himself well, it would have been more interesting to hear directly from the other side. In fairness, male characters were also brutally treated in his films. His thrillers pushed the boundaries for violence. Personally, I've never been a fan of this kind of film-making even though I've enjoyed some of De Palma's films. Some of his films may stand out in movie history but I don't think the genre of excessive violence is worth glorifying.
This film tells a fine history, not just of De Palma's films or films in general, but also of the various historical events that influenced movies throughout the decades. Any history of the period that began in the late 60s and continued through the 70s is always welcome. De Palma mentions that there was much more freedom in those days before the business lobby took over Hollywood in the 80s and continued dominance ever since.
There is enjoyable nostalgia in seeing clips of De Palma's films (which include a young, pre-stardom Robert De Niro) and those of other films that influenced him. These clips are the only alternative to this movie's main source of storytelling: De Palma himself narrating his history. While he is engaging and never dull as a speaker, the documentary feels incomplete as it lacks interviews from others - whether they be specifically for this film or older film clips from friends and foes.
At one point, the renowned director mentions that he was condemned as misogynist for depicting violence against women. While he defends himself well, it would have been more interesting to hear directly from the other side. In fairness, male characters were also brutally treated in his films. His thrillers pushed the boundaries for violence. Personally, I've never been a fan of this kind of film-making even though I've enjoyed some of De Palma's films. Some of his films may stand out in movie history but I don't think the genre of excessive violence is worth glorifying.
helpful•31
- proud_luddite
- Jun 17, 2018
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Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $165,237
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $30,355
- Jun 12, 2016
- Gross worldwide
- $168,045
- Runtime1 hour 50 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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