I'd love to give this at least 3 and 1/2 stars to say "It's good -- I'd recommend it", but I just can't. This is one of those movies that repeatedly shows you images for a fraction of a second before whisking off to more images. Apparently, Bill Cunningham took over 3,000,000 photographs that were never published. I got the feeling the filmmakers were trying to get them all in. But that's not what moving pictures are for. That's what books are for.
This is the wrong format to show lots of photos! I wore out my pause, reverse and fast-forward buttons trying to get a look at the fabulous clothes. If you never heard of Bill Cunningham, he was first a milliner and then when hats went out of style, a photographer in New York and Paris. He photographed fashion shows, charity balls, clubs, street people, gay pride parades; every place and event where there was a chance people would be dressed in a striking manner. He photographed skinny people, fat people, young people, old people, all kinds of people; documenting styles and trends for decades.
By the way, he might have been an awful speller, but he was a terrific writer. His autobiography is excellent.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
A fantastic look at the life of Bill Cunningham, much of it in his own words. From his childhood through his army career, to post-war explosion of fashion that launched his career.
Cunningham's personality and ever-present smile and laugh is truly uplifting. Sarah Jessica Parker's narration is pitch-perfect and engaging. I'm truly astonished how much is packed in this documentary.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Very good companion piece to Bill Cunningham New York as a more standard interview documentary
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Exceptional. Beautiful film documenting such an amazing person. So well done, visually as well as music!
Will go see again!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
This is a great film. A most see for a history listen in fashion and culture.
