Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel
Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel
Directed by Alex Stapleton. Featuring Peter Bogdanovich, Peter Fonda, Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme, Ron Howard, Robert De Niro, David Carradine, Jack Nicholson, Pam Grier and Eli Roth.
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(Perhaps) there’s a touch of unintended irony in the title of this non-rebelliously made and rather fawning biopic about the trailblazing yet trend-following filmmaker, Roger Corman. Presented in a linear fashion from early career to later, and intercutting talking head interviews with some film clips and a few EPK-level behind the scenes moments, Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel is like visiting a favorite old uncle whose anecdotes you know, but don’t mind hearing again.
An undisputed American institution and living legend in the confines of the genre, Corman is mostly influential as a producer, but the film focuses nicely upon his directorial output with his first few flicks (most notably Little Shop of Horrors, shot in only two days and starring a then-obscure Jack Nicholson). It also touches upon his influential, full color and grand adaptations of Edgar Allen Poe’s works in the 60s (featuring the super-famous Vincent Price in glossy upscale productions like The Black Cat and Tomb of Ligeia).
While we don’t really learn much about Corman as the man (no revelations whatsoever… surely the guy has a funny hobby or a favorite food or a quirk!), there’s plenty of info for the newbie about the trajectory of his career and his formidable ingenuity working within the confines of a low budget and getting the most bang for his tightly pinched buck. The relationship with his wife and right hand partner Julie is given its due, and it’s heartwarming to see the footage of him receiving his honorary Academy Award in 2009 and his thanks to her.
There are also many thanks from the aspiring filmmakers and actors Corman mentored throughout the 60's, 70's and 80s. While it’s really only touched on, the fact that Corman was one of the few men in Hollywood to give females their first directing breaks. (Incidentally, doc director Alex Stapleton is a woman.)
One important note that’s not glossed over is the fact that the advent of the blockbuster with Steven Spielberg’s Jaws and George Lucas’s Star Wars in the mid-1970s, and also the falling to the wayside of DIY filmmakers to allow the rise of film school graduates, is what helped lead to Corman's fall from King of the B's to the sultan of schlock.
Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel spends perhaps too much time on Corman’s current projects with the cheesy SyFy Channel TV movies (not because there is anything wrong with those fun flicks, but because there is so much info already out there on them), but overall it’s a pretty heartwarming look at a man who’s contribution to American exploitation, indie and genre entertainment is more than just considerable.
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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson