Sr.

In "Sr.", Robert Downey Jr. And Chris Smith present a unique and personal approach to a bio-doc about Robert Downey Sr., the filmmaker and father of the famous actor. Shot in black-and-white, the film captures the intimacy and complexity of their relationship, as well as Downey Sr.'s artistic process. The inclusion of alternate versions of certain scenes and discussions about the framing of others adds to the documentary's focus on the art of filmmaking. Despite some potential areas for deeper exploration, the emotional access given to Smith by the subjects and the power of finality as Downey Sr. Faces his own death make for a moving and thought-provoking viewing experience.

R. I. P. Robert Downey, Senior (1936-2021)

This documentary has good pacing, camerawork and interesting dialog.

Robert Downey, Senior was an original American indie filmmaker and director. From way back in the 1940's. He was a revolutionary. He was a genius.

The man has a fairly substantial portfolio. Both my wife and myself have been wondering for quite a while just when a documentary about Senior would be made. Here it is. Finally.

Senior the documentary gets us into the man's head. We see his strange take on life and how it influenced his creative processees. We see how any kind of feedback, whether positive or negative, was treated like water running off a duck's back.

Wow. I have to admit never seeing any of the movies featured but can identify many of the cast as movers and shakers in the industry. Testament to a man who made movies for the pure pleasure of movie making and challenging the perceptions of others. Family and friends contributing to a precis of a craftsman and a Son charting his final farewell to a Man who allowed him live his own life.

Many time I recognised parallels in the relationship between Father and Son and my own parent & myself (sudden death syndrome) and that last 'interview' where Jr 'knows' is touching as it is shared with Jr's Jr. I can only conclude that when Sr's mind went elsewhere it was back to the time when editing of his segment was in process.

At times poignant, mostly humorous, this end-time journey was something I would not usually watch but I am so glad I did, such creativity.

I'd never seen any of Sr's films, nor knew anything about him. But this documentary was done with such love and pride about his work, it has me now searching for them, as well as some of the music on them (Charley Cuva, for one). I loved watching and listening to him - his smile and eyes as an older man, lit up the screen and he always sounded so positive and friendly - it made me wish I'd known him. He seemed like a really lovely man - someone you'd want to see and talk with every day. I couldn't help but compare his looks with Michael Caine (but that might just be me). I think they did a lovely job - and I love the black and white too.

Wonderful...so much history and tender, truly funny moments. Such a real and joyful father/son and filmmaker/student portrait. RDJ made a movie about Dad, who's making a movie also about Dad and his pretty ok kid. I laughed so much- what a quirky, fun Dad he must have been. A truly inspiring film about it never being too late to cherish the ones you love. See it and prepare to fall for these two. You won't regret it.

My review's too short, so...

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