Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me (2013)

The uncompromising Tony and Emmy Award-winner is showcased both on and off stage via rare archival footage and intimate cinema vérité.

Director:

Chiemi Karasawa

Stars:

Elaine Stritch, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Ellen Adler	...	Herself
Alec Baldwin	...	Himself
Bella Botier	...	Herself
Rob Bowman	...	Himself
Louis Bruno	...	Himself / NYC bass player
Maeve Butler	...	Herself
Carl Cafagna	...	Himself / Detroit Reeds player
Billy Crystal	...	Himself / Emmy nominee
Allen Davison	...	Himself
Ellen DeGeneres	...	Herself / Emmy nominee
Tina Fey	...	Herself
David Gale	...	Himself / NYC trumpet player
John Gale	...	Himself / NYC trumpet player
James Gandolfini	...	Himself
Hunter Ryan Herdlicka	...	Himself

Storyline

What does it mean to be a performing artist - first, last and always? Broadway legend Elaine Stritch can answer that. At 87, Stritch is still here, dominating the stage in her one woman cabaret act, torturing Alec Baldwin on 30ROCK, giving us her take on aging, her struggle with alcohol and diabetes, and the fear of leaving the follow spot behind. In stolen moments from her corner room at the Carlyle, and on breaks from her tour and work, candid reflections about her life are punctuated with rare archival footage, words from friends (Hal Prince, George C. Wolfe, Nathan Lane, Cherry Jones and John Turturro) and photographs from her personal collection. By turns bold, hilarious and achingly poignant, the journey connects Stritch's present to her past, and an inspiring portrait of a one-of-a-kind survivor emerges.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 2015 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Элейн Стритч: Снимите меня

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$27,853, 23 February 2014

Gross USA:

$303,100

Company Credits

Production Co:

isotopefilms

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Elaine Stritch: When the doctor called me and told me he had cancer... I burst into a flood of tears... That's the way I cried when John died. And then I cried no more!... But I said, "I've got to, I gotta, gotta get going and see what I can find now," 'cause I loved being married, and I loved being in love, and I loved all that. So where am I gonna find that again? And I never did. I never did.

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Connections

Referenced in Paternity Leave (2015)

User Reviews

"A molotov cocktail of savvy, madness and genius"

"Elaine Stretch" (2013 release; 80 min.) is a candid and intimate look at the legendary Broadway star, now age 86. As the movie opens, we spend time with Elaine as she goes about her business at her apartment in the Hotel Carlyle. Elaine is gearing up for another show, "Elaine Sings Sondheim" and we watch her at the rehearsals. The documentary contains tons of testimonials, including James Gandolfini (RIP), who quips "if we both had been 35 when we met, I'm sure it would've resulted in a torrid love affair that ends badly. I love that woman", ha!

The documentary also shows Elaine battling diabetes and alcoholism. When asked point blank what she fears the most, she answers "drinking". The other challenge she battles is to remember the lyrics of the songs she is to perform, be it during the rehearsals or during the show itself. It all leads up to Elaine's performance at the Town Hall in NY.

The documentary also contains a bunch of archival clips, including Elaine performing on a TV variety show in 1955, yes almost 60 years ago, but also her unforgettable speech at the Emmys some 10 years ago. Kudos to director Chiemi Karasawa, a veteran in the film industry but her debut as a feature director. She is able to bring us an honest portrayal of an aging ("I'm older but don't call me old!") Elaine Stritch. I can only hope I have the same energy and enthusiasm for life if I make it to 86. This documentary opened this weekend at one of the art-house theaters here in SW Ohio, and the late matinée I saw this at was PACKED, believe it or not. "Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me" is an enjoyable documentary and worth checking out, be it in the theater or on DVD/Blu-ray.