Bill Cunningham New York (2010)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Sam B

  
  Like some of the best documentaries, Bill Cunningham New York is a human story - the tale of one man who almost embodies kindness and innocence. His enthusiastic personality is enough to make this film worth watching all on its own, but director Richard Press takes it to the next… More
  Like some of the best documentaries, Bill Cunningham New York is a human story - the tale of one man who almost embodies kindness and innocence. His enthusiastic personality is enough to make this film worth watching all on its own, but director Richard Press takes it to the next level by hinting at deeper themes of society's sameness versus individuality, the sad passage of time, modesty and the ability to find and create happiness. And while the world of fashion is probably very high on my list of things I really, really don't care about, the film and its quirky protagonist exude a warmth that is rare, especially in the cold heart of New York City.

• c0up  

  
  'Bill Cunningham New York'. A fascinating, sad look at a man whose love for the fashion of everyday people has so wholly consumed his life. You can't help but admire Bill Cunningham's drive, simplicity, strong-minded virtues, overwhelming passion and enthusiasm,… More
  'Bill Cunningham New York'. A fascinating, sad look at a man whose love for the fashion of everyday people has so wholly consumed his life. You can't help but admire Bill Cunningham's drive, simplicity, strong-minded virtues, overwhelming passion and enthusiasm, but at what cost? He loves what he does so much, that he "doesn't have time" for a relationship or family. It had me questioning whether the balance is needed to lead a fulfilling life. At one point, he's asked about music as an interest, and he says he goes to church every Sunday to listen to the music and half-jokingly "to repent!". He must be a conflicted individual inside, and it comes to the fore during those last, deeply personal questions.

• Jennifer X

  
  So maybe part of the reason I love this so much is due to my obsession with old people - but bear with me! - Bill is one of a kind. He's discerning without being nasty, cute without being cloying, imbued with a heart of gold. It's amazing what this documentary captures, this… More
  So maybe part of the reason I love this so much is due to my obsession with old people - but bear with me! - Bill is one of a kind. He's discerning without being nasty, cute without being cloying, imbued with a heart of gold. It's amazing what this documentary captures, this quietly Catholic, relationship-less man with a passion for fashion who's not really interested in anything else, whether it be fine dining, gorgeous honeys, or clothing on himself. He's a human camera night and day but he loves it and New York loves him for it. This is such a KIND documentary.

• Mark H

  
  One of a kind documentary about Bill Cunningham, a fashion photographer for The New York Times. More of a cultural anthropologist, he documents style as it happens out on the streets of New York City. His impromptu pictures have become a regular series of the newspaper for over 30… More
  One of a kind documentary about Bill Cunningham, a fashion photographer for The New York Times. More of a cultural anthropologist, he documents style as it happens out on the streets of New York City. His impromptu pictures have become a regular series of the newspaper for over 30 years. Half of the time we are treated to his fascinating snapshots that capture the true expression of a metropolis better than any runway show every could. The photos are of real people, stylish and flamboyant, captured for all the world to see. They are a celebration of the urban inhabitants, as well as the city itself. The other half of the time, we are presented with the portrait of a man, unassuming and utterly without pretension. He is distrustful of money, shunning monetary reward to a fault, riding from place to place on a Schwinn bicycle. He lives in a cramped studio apartment in Carnegie hall, packed to the ceiling with file cabinets of his negatives. A man who finds utter joy in his work capturing fashion and strangely little else it seems. His passion is remarkable. So exhaustive is his document that director Richard Press subtly suggests Cunningham's equal importance among more celebrated luminaries like Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton in the field of fashion photography. To enjoy this film, you needn't be fond of New York, nor do you have to appreciate photography. You don't even need to have an interest in fashion. You simply must have a love for humanity. In other words, you should be human.

• Ryan M

  
  **** out of **** Bill Cunningham. That is the name of the legendary New York Times photographer; a man fascinated with fashion and trends in the cloths that the good people of the city have been wearing. Filmed sometime in 2010, the film follows Bill as he's pushing 80; and he… More
  **** out of **** Bill Cunningham. That is the name of the legendary New York Times photographer; a man fascinated with fashion and trends in the cloths that the good people of the city have been wearing. Filmed sometime in 2010, the film follows Bill as he's pushing 80; and he hasn't lost trace of the enthusiasm and human kindness that defined him in the fields of both personality and business. I don't know everything about him as a man, but the deal here seems to be that people liked Bill and he liked them in return. This is a first-rate portrayal of a man who appears as if he's just happy to be alive. If you didn't know who Bill Cunningham was before you either saw this review or saw the movie, no worries; we're essentially on the same page. However, I chose to flip through a few of the man's still photographs; each one more fascinating than the last. The photos are, ultimately, what convinced me to watch the documentary on the photographer that shot them as soon as I possibly could. It's the kind of movie where if you miss it, you'll never quite forgive yourself if you do decide to pick it up some time down the road. The documentarian, Richard Press, takes us through Bill's life; piece by piece, photograph by photograph. We see his house, which is a small, condensed, but personally sufficient Carnegie Hall Studio. We see his office, which is just as easily an actual office - where he gives his works of art a final touch-up of digital magic before publication - as it is in the street, where Bill likes to ride his bike. His method of transportation is indeed one of the many things that made Bill Cunningham a name to cherish, remember, and honor. As with most documentaries, there really isn't much of a straight-forward plot. These are documentations in their purest form possible; honest, gripping, intoxicating, and best of all, surprisingly insightful. Whether you know the name Bill Cunningham or not, there's something here for everyone to enjoy; "Bill Cunningham New York" (the name of the film) is simply fascinating, spotless, and just like the man that it is so proudly about, just happy to prosper. Man, you'd have to be a real grouch not to enjoy the journey at least somewhat. Bill provides interesting, intelligent, passionate commentary on his art throughout the film; and he does so whilst being completely and utterly light as a feather. Anyone with a beating heart is bound to respond at least somewhat to this material; be it emotionally (I was touched by a scene in which Bill visited a run-way fashion show, sat on the sidelines instead of the photographers section, and had himself a merry old time while Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" illuminated the scene and brought it to the level of absolute memorability) or otherwise. "Bill Cunningham New York" is one of the best films to get a 2011 release; and quite possibly the best documentary from that year. It has all the qualities of a classic work of movie magic in the making; what it lacks in spectacle, it makes up for in character. The documentary makes it perfectly clear that Bill Cunningham was completely human. He had riches, but he did not use them; he had women at his feet, forever admiring him, but he did not take advantage of the fact; and he had career hardships, but he didn't let them - or anything else- get the best of him. Bill Cunningham is a happy man, and I expect he remained so throughout his entire life. Wouldn't be much of a surprise to me, personally. I know I'd be pretty happy too, if I were granted the chance to do what I loved to do for an impressive paycheck, all while riding my bicycle and donning my poncho in the lovely, lovely rain.

• cody f

  
  Very good doc about a "Man On The Street" fashion photographer for more than 40 years. What makes this film so enjoyable is the likability of Bill Cunningham. He has a great personality,knowledge for his field, and has high morals in an industry that is lacking. Everyone who… More
  Very good doc about a "Man On The Street" fashion photographer for more than 40 years. What makes this film so enjoyable is the likability of Bill Cunningham. He has a great personality,knowledge for his field, and has high morals in an industry that is lacking. Everyone who is anyone in the fashion industry seems enamored of Bill and they really value his opinion. What is interesting about this film is you spend all this time with Bill and by the end you realize you really don't know him and I don't think anybody does. He lives to work and because of this he doesn't seem to have any real connection with other humans, but it doesn't make him unlikable in any way. This doc is a lot of fun and at times very moving, even if you don't care about fashion,photography, or New York you will have a good time.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings