41) The People Vs. George Lucas
Director: Alexandre O. Philippe
Year: 2010
Plot Summary: No franchise has ever been loved like Star Wars. For a wide eyed generation it was a spectacle, it was storytelling and it was cinema. This riotous documentary explores the fans' devotion through costumed conventions, Lego re-enactments, comedy tributes and countless unlicensed spin offs. But every faith must be tested. And so they came: The re-edits, the new chapters and Jar Jar Binks.
Whilst I was intrigued by the hilarious synopsis for The People Vs. George Lucas, I expected it to be nothing more than a 90 minute amateur documentary showcasing various Star Wars spoofs, tributes and conventions loosely tied together by a minimal subject. Oh, how wrong I was.The People Vs. George Lucas is a brilliant examination of how and why Star Wars became a phenomenon like none other. Unlike what I'd expected, it's not just interviews with Star Wars obsessives and sci-fi geeks, Alexandre O. Philippe talks to everyone from historians, psychologists, philosophers and industry people and presents a thoroughly interesting analysis into what people love so much about the Star Wars films and the universe.
Moreover, it's a study of fandom as a whole, picking apart why, even today, audiences find themselves compelled to support a film in such a strong way. While the documentary focusses solely on Star Wars, you could apply it to any number of pictures from recent years such as The Dark Knight or Twilight.
However, the most amazing aspect of this documentary is that it is somehow, in the middle of all this fandom and obsession, it's also a biography of George Lucas' life in the cinema industry. The People Vs. George Lucas provides a startling insight into the mind of the Star Wars creator and examines how, after the studio's interferences on THX and American Graffiti, he is a man who crusaded against the system and refused to let anyone tell him what to do anymore. This became part of his genius and also his major downfall.
Even if none of the above appeals to you, The People Vs. George is hugely entertaining. It's done in a fast paced and thoroughly engaging style mixing stock footage with home videos and animation, the interviews are all fantastic and it's very, very funny. From the opening minute - in which Jon Stewart is shown interviewing an awkward Lucas on the faults of the prequels - the audience in my showing were roaring with laughter. In particular, the footage from before The Phantom Menace was released in America and the interviews with obsessive fans recalling their experiences had everyone in stitches.
A very well constructed documentary which is intelligent, stylish, clever, hilarious and, all in all, a surprisingly fun watch.
3/5
2 comments:
Interesting, I'd never heard of this before. But in a nutshell... *why* do these geeks love Star Wars so much?
It was one i caught at EIFF as I was waiting for Toy Story 3. :) I just thought it sounded quite intriguing so I gave it a go. :) I don't know, there were TONS of interpretations from it. Some very psychological and some very philosophical and spiritual. It's made me realise how great the first two films really are though and how important they were to cinema. I think I'll relive my childhood and see them again after watching this film. :)
Post a Comment