the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. [10] He changed his surname to Downey after his stepfather, when he wanted to enlist in the United States Army while being underage. I was just playing a game of wanting to self-soothe or stay loaded rather than deal with the fact that things had gone off the tracks." He continues, "Honestly . If things had gone as originally planned, director Chris Smiths Netflix documentary Sr. might have been called Jr. instead. 'Sr.' Review: Robert Downey Jr.-Produced Documentary Pays Tribute to His Underground Filmmaker Father Telluride: We watch the great Robert Downey Sr. in his final years, as he. What is the Japanese language plot outline for Sr. (2022)? The Downeys: Robert Sr, left, and Jr, right, in the new Netflix documentary (Netflix) The documentary follows Downey Sr right up to the very end of his life, to the point where he is. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. It's Me, Margaret. In keeping with the underground tradition, his 1970s films were independently made on shoestring budgets and were relatively obscure in the Absurdist movement, finding cult notoriety. Robert Downey Sr. Documentary From Chris Smith Heads to Netflix - Yahoo Rating: R (Language and Some. Heres Downey Sr. telling his son about a plane crash he experienced while in the army, which led to him getting thrown in the stockade, which led to a sympathetic jailer giving him pen and paper so he could pass the time by writingwhich eventually led to a life compulsively behind the lens. John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Elon Musk and Bill Maher Warn Against the 'Woke Mind Virus,' a.k.a. Robert Downey Jr. is reflecting on past drug addiction from a young age. Its incomplete if you dont, said the Iron Man star. pairs the Robert Downeys in tender tribute to avant-garde filmmaker", "Sr. movie review & film summary (2022) | Roger Ebert", "National Board of Review Names 'Top Gun: Maverick' Best Film", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%22Sr.%22&oldid=1148628162, This page was last edited on 7 April 2023, at 10:21. All rights reserved. Following its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, five-time Emmy nominee Chris Smith's documentary "**** Sr.", an affectionate tribute to maverick filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., will head to Netflix. 1,875, This story has been shared 1,634 times. ', Sr.: Robert Downey Jr. We dont get the answers we want when we want them. Streaming Schedule, Season 5, Part 2 Debut Info, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved, Robert Downey Jr. 2,584 likes, 13 comments - The Star (@thestaronline) on Instagram: "Robert Downey Jr recently opened up about his relationship with his late father, Robert Downey Sr." The Star on Instagram: "Robert Downey Jr recently opened up about his relationship with his late father, Robert Downey Sr, in the new Netflix documentary. This is a real life. Sr. (now on Netflix) lets us see inside Robert Downey Jr.s home and a little bit of whats inside his heart. The superstar actor joined producer-wife Susan Downey for a conversation with THR's Scott Feinberg as part of inaugural festival LA3C that was attended by Tom Holland, Zendaya and Adrien Brody. How do I deal with the fact that this larger than life character who I spent so many years influenced by, is not well? he said. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. Sr. (2022) - IMDb In the final moments of the Chris Smith-directed film, much sniffling could be heard inside the theater where celebrity guests like Tom Holland, Zendaya, Adrien Brody and Oscar winner Travon Free also took in the screening. McKay's cast includes Amy Adams ( Vice ), Forest Whitaker ( Big George Foreman ), Danielle Deadwyler ( Till ), and Robert Downey Jr. ( Oppenheimer ), who most recently produced and appeared in his . Robert Downey Jr. pays tribute to his late father in this documentary chronicling the life and eclectic career of pioneering filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. And while the younger Downey plays a big part in the film, the primary focus is on Robert Downey Sr., the underground filmmaker and actor who made satirical and offbeat films like Putney Swope and Chafed Elbows. As perhaps is true of most father-son relationships, some sensitive matters between the Downeys appear unresolved. I'll never forgive myself, but Robert and I have dealt with it, and he's said to me, 'I'm not a victim, Dad. December 3, 2022. Despite his blockbuster success, he also said he found it quite surreal to be see large scale promotions for Sr. across Los Angeles. Kevin Ford, Release Date (Theaters): A.I. That is its strength and, it seems, raison dtre, even if the film, directed by Chris Smith (American Movie, Fyre), with what might be called an unofficial assist from Downey Sr., feels largely made up as they went along and a product of some skillfully managed editing. Documentary From Chris Smith Heading To Netflix By Matt Grobar November 14, 2022 9:56am Netflix has unveiled a trailer for its Robert Downey Sr. documentary. 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! Fundraiser, Zendaya Recalls First Date at 15 to See Spider-Man in 3D, Netflix Lands Adam McKay Movie Starring Robert Pattinson, Amy Adams, U.S. Digital Giants to Finance Local Content After Canada's Online Streaming Bill Becomes Law, Wes Anderson Directing Star Wars? The Star on Instagram: "Robert Downey Jr recently opened up about his And also, you feel bad about all the crazy s---, so then there's the guilt button," said the Avengers actor. Total, total insanity.". Smith took him up on the idea. Robert John Downey Sr. (n Elias Jr.; June 24, 1936 July 7, 2021) was an American filmmaker and actor. Which isnt to say the film is nothing but raw nerves. 1,634, This story has been shared 1,370 times. 'Sr.' Trailer: Robert Downey Sr. Documentary From Netflix - Deadline with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. ", Personality Crisis: One Night Only Finds Punk Pioneer David Johansen Recounting His Many Lives, Stream It Or Skip It: 'The Legacy of J Dilla' on FX/Hulu, Exploring The Life, Beats, And Career Of The Late Hip-Hop Hero, Stream It Or Skip It: Little Richard: I Am Everything on VOD, A Biodoc As Vibrant As Its Subject, Stream It Or Skip It: Dear Mama on FX, A Powerfully-Told Docuseries About The Life and Legacy of Tupac Shakur, Stream It Or Skip It: 'Peter Pan and Wendy' on Disney+, Director David Lowery's Lightly Visionary Disney Rehash, Where Was Peter Pan and Wendy Filmed? Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. "We had a meeting at his company and just sort of threw out the idea of doing a documentary on [Robert Downey Jr.]," Smith recalled during an . By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and It won the National Board of Review Award for Best Documentary Feature. These meet-cutes will bring on all the feels. What Time Is 'Firefly Lane' Season 2, Part 2: The Final Chapter on Netflix? We had a meeting at his company and just sort of threw out the idea of doing a documentary on [Robert Downey Jr.], Smith recalled during an appearance at Deadlines Contenders Television: Documentary + Unscripted event. Its just what Sr. and Jr. do, and to not include such self-analysis because self-analysis is very much what it is would be to disregard a large portion of their lives. [22], Robert Downey Jr. Inside The Actors Studio Pt. 'Sanditon' Ending Explained: Does Charlotte Marry Colbourne? Remembers His Late Dad's Laughter in Emotional 'Sr.' Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. Rating: 'Dolittle,' Sia's 'Music,' '365 Days' Lead 2021 Razzie Awards Nominees. Trust anything, and anything can happen, Downey Sr. said. Robert Downey Jr. reconnects with his filmmaker dad in Netflix's [15][16][17], Downey was married three times. Follow the tender but appropriately irreverent account of the life and career of Robert Downey Sr., the fearless and visionary American director who set the standard for countercultural comedy in the 1960s and 1970s. Our Take: Sr. is shot in gorgeous, crystalline black-and-white, perhaps to reflect the aesthetic of Sr.s early work, perhaps to give it a nostalgic aesthetic, perhaps to render the relationship between father and son within a warm, soft, gray area where simple emotions love, respect, fondness can comfortably exist alongside the more complicated ones. His second marriage, to actress-writer Laura Ernst, lasted until her death on January 27, 1994, from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. All Rights Reserved. Its nervy in its restless meta-qualities, with scenes frequently addressing the very conception and construction of this film. In a new limited series, host Barack Obama visits three American workplaces. He made nearly 20 indie films in his career and many are featured in the doc including Sweet Smell of Sex, Chafed Elbows, Putney Swope, Pound, Greasers Palace, Hugo Pool, and Two Tons of Turquioise to Taos Tonight. The Team Downey-produced film is an intimate portrait of art, fatherhood and healing generational trauma. Even his wife was surprised. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter The treasure hunt is just getting started. Paul Thomas Anderson was inspired by them. It turned into this like Gordian Knot because he became so obsessed with the project. The film explores Downey Sr.s life and work, including his influential 1969 satirical comedy,Putney Swope. Downey Sr.s relationship with his son, Robert Downey Jr., is a prominent part of the story. Elsewhere in the film, Downey Sr. said his advice to his younger self would be: "Don't touch drugs." Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. Robert Downey Jr. pays tribute to his late father in this documentary chronicling the life and eclectic career of pioneering filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. We werent trying to make some tear-jerky thing. You should film that guy. At one point in the film, Downey Jr. addresses his past addiction and the influence his father had on that by bringing it up during a phone call with him. Snippets of Sr.s acting stints in a few of his early works as well as a role in Paul Thomas Andersons Boogie Nights are also woven in, as are interviews with friends including Anderson (who provides personal archival footage), Alan Arkin, Norman Lear and Lawrence Wolf, the last a frequent performer in Downey Sr.s 60s and 70s films. Back in 2000, Downey Sr. told Vanity Fair about the moment he gave drugs to Downey Jr. at age 6 when he caught him sipping wine. While the music portion of the festival took place downtown at Los Angeles State Historic Park and featured big name acts like Maluma, Snoop Dogg, Lil Baby, Seventeen and Free Nationals, other Penske Media brands hosted insider events across the city. Netflix has acquired the worldwide rights to "Sr.," a documentary film about the life of the late filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. as directed by Chris . 'Sr.' Director Chris Smith On The Things Left Unsaid Between Robert Downey Sr. And His Famous Son https://bit.ly/3LeHj8x #DeadlineContenders TV Documentary + Unscripted 29 Apr 2023 17:51:15 "Sr." - Wikipedia [Full disclosure: I saw that 69 acid-tipped comedy about race relations, revolution and the counter-culture getting a consumerist makeover, as a kid a few weeks after our first neighborhood video store opened. DC Comics' 'Sweet Tooth' Receives Netflix Adaptation: Watch the Trailer In the end scene, he [says to his dad], Is there anything that you would want your kid to know? He doesnt get the answer that I think maybe he was looking for, but at the same time, it feels almost more poetic in a way. So father and son start talking over Zoom and phone calls, with Smith and Ford filming each side. Remembers His Late Dad's Laughter in Emotional 'Sr.' 'Sr.' Director On Things Left Unsaid Between Robert Downey Sr. And His But he did mention a counter-offer: What about my dad? ", He recalled becoming addicted around the time he made the 1987 film Less Than Zero. 'Sr.' Is Robert Downey Jr.'s Heartbreakingly Sweet Documentary Tribute The documentary is part Sr.'s project, a biographical retrospective of sorts that finds him visiting New York City locations where he shot some of his infamously wild underground films, and. The conversations begin to have a push-pull dynamic, along with an incredible sense of candor and honesty. It was an idiot move on our parts, a lot of us, to share that with out children. Since the content itself is inherently poignant, it's remarkable how stubbornly uninvolving much of the film is. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. 2,972, This story has been shared 2,617 times. He was known for writing and directing his underground film Putney Swope, a satire on the New York Madison Avenue advertising world. Director: Chris Smith (Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond . He was known for writing and directing his underground film Putney Swope, a satire on the New York Madison Avenue advertising world. They chat about life and their many shared experiences, including Downey Jr.s formative gigs as a kid actor in Pound and Greasers and their later collaborations on Downey Sr.s obscure comedies Too Much Sun (1990) and Hugo Pool (1997). ", "I still think there's this section of our culture that thinks it's a moral weakness. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. "Sr." Review: Robert Downey Sr. Documentary Premieres at Telluride It's a question that's answered in affecting, if not always thoroughly probing ways in the otherwise compelling documentary "Sr.," a lively look at cult filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. and. But in the late 1960s, he became a counterculture icon after making such absurdist underground movies as Chafed Elbows, No More Excuses and his most notable and influential hit, the anarchic ad-agency satire Putney Swope. His well-timed work was a barbed, unapologetic mirror of that eras political and social turbulence. Coming Soon, Regal Seeing cameras were a joyous thing, Jr. says early on, because that meant that hed get to spend time with his dad. ", "Honestly, more than anything, I look back and go, 'It's shocking that a single movie came out finished,' " he added, later referencing the "drug-culture life that we all got stuck in. In the new Netflix documentary Sr., the Iron Man actor, 57, pays tribute to his director dad Robert Downey Sr., who had Parkinson's disease and died in July 2021 at 85.At one point in the film . A Netflix documentary about counterculture filmmaker Robert Downey Sr, directed by his much more famous actor son, Sr. charts the last three years of the life of "Bob Sr" before he dies of Parkinson's disease in 2021 at age eighty-five. 'Citadel' Episode Guide: When Do New Episodes Premiere on Prime Video? We want to hear it. Jada Pinkett Smiths 4-part documentary series returns with an intimate portrait of the cunning ruler. The website's consensus reads: "Sr. is an illuminating look at a fascinating filmmaker -- and a poignant tribute to a father from his son. And for those of us who already worship of the altar of the elder Downey, this Netflix doc it drops on the streaming service this weekend is a chance to see a true indie-movie O.G. Although Sr. gets into some of the lunatic fodder that made Sr.s films great, it remains firmly rooted in recent years 2019, 2020, 2021. 1,370, This story has been shared 1,340 times. By David Fear. [10] In 1998 he married his third wife, Rosemary Rogers, humorist and co-author of Saints Preserve Us! Produced by Robert Downey Jr. and directed by Chris Smith, 'Sr.' is an intimate portrait of art and life. On the very first day of filmingSr.,the new documentary about the life of maverick filmmaker and actor Robert Downey Sr., director Chris Smith (Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond,American Movie) received some thoughtful words from the subject himself. Everyone thinks that Im so eccentric that Im completely walking around in a bubble of unawareness, he quipped. (1987s porn-industry satire, Rented Lips, goes unmentioned, perhaps for good reason.). See what happens. We want to hear from you! For those who only think of Robert Downey Sr. as the father of the guy from the Marvel movies, Sr. is happy to fill in some blanks from here to paternity. [3] He was the son of Elizabeth (ne McLauchlen), a model, and Robert John Elias Sr., who worked in management of motels and restaurants. potentially get the credit he deserves. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. The documentary is part Sr.s project, a biographical retrospective of sorts that finds him visiting New York City locations where he shot some of his infamously wild underground films, and eyeballing the building where the Downey family lived in the 70s. This story has been shared 55,770 times. I passed him a joint," he recalled at the time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Performance Worth Watching: We all know Jr. and his inimitable personality (essentially a softer version of the flippant fast-talker we see on screen), so its fascinating to zoom in on Sr. and see how far the apple fell from the tree. He also appeared in movies such as Boogie Nights, Magnolia and To Live and Die. Halfway through filming, Covid hits and leaves Jr. stuck in Los Angeles while Sr. is still in New York. [12], In 1961, working with film editor Fred von Bernewitz, Downey began writing and directing low-budget 16mm films that gained an underground following, beginning with Ball's Bluff (1961), a fantasy short about a Civil War soldier who awakens in Central Park in 1961. (Let me tell you, theres something special about watching a documentary in which Alan Arkin uses the phrase half in the bag.) Sr. shot a movie called Pound, in which 18 human actors played dogs locked in the same cell; Jr. was five years old when his father hired him to appear in the film, delivering the line, You got any hair on your balls? to a bald man playing a Mexican hairless pooch, and the rather bizarre sentence youre reading now is quite nuanced and revelatory in characterizing these two men and their relationship. I knew of Robert Downey Sr. but I didnt really know him or his work that well, Smith said. In 1970, Robert Downey Jr. made his onscreen debut at the age of five in his father's film called Pound.Now, nearly more than five decades later, the father-son duo embark on a final cinematic . Occasionally, we see Sr. watching the footage hes shot and editing it with Fords help, giving the whole affair a hall-of-mirrors effect. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. His first marriage was to actress Elsie Ann Ford (19342014) in 1962, with whom he had two children: actress-writer Allyson (born 1963) and actor Robert Jr. (born 1965). Susan Downey, Trailer, Lionel Richie's 3 Kids: Everything to Know, Robert Downey Jr. Is Unrecognizable as He Transforms into Balding Redhead for HBO's 'The Sympathizer', Flavor Flav Says He Was Spending Up to $2,600 a Day on Drugs for 6 Years Before Getting Sober, Priscilla Presley's Son Navarone Garcia Breaks His Silence: 'People Know 'About' Me, But They Don't 'Know' Me', Tom Arnold Recalls Staging Intervention for Chris Farley Before Overdose: 'He Did His Best'. Mainly cocaine and marijuana. I think Robert wanted to have a dialogue with his dad in person. [18] Downey died of complications from Parkinson's disease in his sleep at his home in Manhattan, on July 7, 2021, thirteen days after his 85th birthday. The documentary also unpacks personal themes ranging from creativity and mortality to fatherhood and generational trauma. We here about the effect that a bohemian lifestyle has on kids and what happens when one artists demons mirror anothers. [13] His last film was Rittenhouse Square (2005), a documentary capturing life in a Philadelphia park. Movie clips are fun to see and serve a purpose, but are presented without insights into Downey's unique vision and style that would have been helpful to those unfamiliar with his oeuvre. Critics panned it. How to Watch Robert Downey Jr's Sr. - collider.com Sr.s irrepressible love of moviemaking comes through in the film. 1, National Board of Review Award for Best Documentary Feature, You've Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat, "Robert Downey Jr.'s Mother Dies: Read His Moving, Candid Tribute to Elsie Ann Downey", "Celebrity Jews: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Barbara Walters, Larry David, Ben Stiller & more", J. Filmed over three years, Sr. is an intimate exploration of the maverick directors colorful life and rebellious career as well as his relationship with his son before he passed away from Parkinsons disease on July 7, 2021. Stream It Or Skip It: There There on Hulu, A Talky Compendium of Short Scenes with a Clever Visual Trick, Stream It Or Skip It: 'The Nurse' On Netflix, A Danish Drama About A New Nurse That Suspects That A Colleague Is Killing Patients, Stream It Or Skip It: 'One More Time' On Netflix, A Swedish Time Travel Comedy About Getting To Re-Live Your Best Day, PSA to David Bowie Fans, 'Moonage Daydream' Is Now Streaming on HBO, Joy Behar and Stanley Tucci Bond Over Italian Stereotypes on 'The View': "Innately Evil", Stream It Or Skip It: 'Secrets of the Elephants' on Disney+, a Typically Gorgeous and Informative Documentary Series, James Brolin Spooked by Son Josh's Nude Photo on 'The View': "Oh My God! The film becomes more direct as Sr.s condition worsens, and Jr. openly contemplates if a moment might be the last time he sees his father alive. Where Was 'John Mulaney: Baby J' on Netflix Filmed? When Chris Smith a documentarian who had tackled everything from Method acting run amuck to a music festival falling apart was asked what subjects he might be interested in pursuing in terms of a new project, he didnt mention a what. Instead, he gave his producers a who: Robert Downey Jr. It pays to know the backstory of Sr. going in, which helps explain the sort of beautifully loose, free-flowing way it intercuts a very traditional nonfiction template with the subjects own tangential bits of footage. Here's When It Returns With New Episodes, Drew Barrymore Halts Segment After "Severely Old" Mac and Cheese Noodle Flies off Her Desk: "It's Rock Hard", Drew Barrymore Opens Up to Madison Beer About Attempting Suicide Twice: "I Was So Desperate". Robert Downey Jr. on Making of 'Sr.,' Addiction and Finding Peace With Final Moments of His Father's Life: "This is Not a Disney+ Thing" The superstar actor joined producer-wife Susan. When Chris Smith a documentarian who had tackled everything from Method acting run . By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Netflix Buys Robert Downey Jr. Father Documentary 'Sr.' - The Hollywood Historical Fact Additional archival clips of Elsie Downey (a game mainstay in many of Downey Sr.s films; she died in 2014) and Sr.s second wife, actress-writer Laura Ernst, who died in 1994 at age 36 of ALS, are featured as well. Poguelandia is not quite the paradise the Pogues hoped. Robert Downey 'Sr.' Documentary Netflix Review: Stream It or Skip It?
