Today's forty-something people on the Vistula River Steve Martin is associated with hits that dominated video rental stores at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s. Who hasn't burst into tears after watching it a dozen times? “Szajbusa”, “Two in me” and “A man with two brains” Carl Reiner, following the adventures “The Three Amigos” John Landis or “Filthy bastards” Frank Oz? Finally, who hasn't been moved by something inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac? “Roxanne” Fred Schepisi? And yet they were still there “Take it easy, daddy” Ron Howard, “Father of the bride” Charles Schyer, “The miracle worker” Richard Pearce, “Bowfinger's great dare” Frank Oz, in which he starred with Edie Murphy, and of course the cult musical “Bloodthirsty plant” Frank Oz, where he played the psychopathic dentist Orin Scrivello.
Steve Martin entered Polish homes and appeared on TV screens, seducing everyone with his above-average charisma and always smiling suit of white teeth, and at the same time with the gentle appearance of an older man, which was given to him by gray hair that did not match his age. It was impossible not to like him. This affection lasted until sometime in the mid-2000s, when he struck out at comedic sainthood by taking on the role of Inspector Clouseau in the American remake “Pink Panther” Shawn Levy. Despite his talent and willingness, he failed to step into Peter Sellers' shoes, but he took part in the second part of the film in 2010 it brought him the only one in his career nomination for the Golden Raspberry Awards.
It can be assumed that the director born in 1967 had a similar perspective “Steve!” MorganNeville. When Martin began his film career, Neville was a teenager and, like his entire generation, he grew up with the films of Reiner, Landis, Oz and others. And he undoubtedly loved cinema. Otherwise, he would not have started his directorial path with television documentaries about Sidney Poitier and the Hollywood Huston dynasty. Today, he is considered a specialist in documentary biographies, and his credits include: portraits of musicians such as Keith Richards, Bono and The Edge, Johnny Cash and Brian Wilson, writers – Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley, and even culinary star Anthony Bourdain.
In 2014, the creator won an Oscar for “One step away from fame” – a film tribute to nameless members of choirs accompanying great pop music stars. But although he has been talking about broadly understood pop culture for nearly thirty years, each of his films is characterized by an individual approach to the topic, hero and form.
In Steve Martin's case, he made up his mind divide his biography into two parts. First of them “Once” this is a story that will be an absolute discovery for many viewers, especially in Poland. Because although it starts quite classically – from childhood and family relationships, we then learn the story of Martin's stage career, who, despite difficult beginnings, at the age of 30 achieved the status of an absolute star of American stand-up, and his comedy performances attracted audiences of several thousand people. This story, brimming with memories, full of archival skits and colorful stories, ends when the hero leaves the stage in favor of a Hollywood career.
And suddenly we jump to “Now”. 40 years ahead. Where we meet Steve, who is already in his seventies, and after decades of separation from the stage, together with his friend Martin Short, he is preparing a benefit comeback. And together with us, he tries to find the answer to the question of what his journey was like from that scared thirty-year-old who effectively masked his phobias with humor, to a happy and fulfilled man who, at the age of 67, became a father for the first time in his life.
And although there will be flashbacks to movie hits, it will not be a story about the backstage of Hollywood sprinkled with anecdotes, but a reflective story about friendship, family and self-acceptance. About the fact that sometimes it's worth letting go to become a better version of yourself. This is where he hides explanation of the rather enigmatic title – loud STEVE in the second part! gives way to the secretive (martin).
This directorial move complements what we all know so far. Morgan Neville opens the curtains on both sides of the screen where we admired Martin's film roles and allows us to see his life in a broader perspective. Watching “Steve” I was thinking about a Polish documentary made two years ago “Bohdan Smolen. In the shadow of the stage” Ksawery Szczepanik, who used a somewhat similar technique, looking behind the scenes of Smolen's relationship with Zenon Laskowik and showing what happens when the stage lights go out. The strength of both of these films is this ability to bring certain things out of the shadows and make us look at our idols differently.
Steve Martin three years ago thanks series “Crimes next door” he came back from film retirement and is experiencing a renaissance of popularity. Nevill's documentary is therefore perfectly timed and whets the appetite while waiting for the fourth season “Crime”devote a few evenings to comedy pearls of the 80s.
8/10
“STEVE! (martin): document in 2 parts” (Steve!), dir. Morgan Neville, USA 2024, film available on the AppleTV+ platform.