Recognizable but nameless to the general public, a naturalistic, committed god among actors to those who love him, Kentucky born Harry Dean Stanton has appeared in over 100 films spanning 5 decades in cinema and television. Among his most noted early castings are COOL HAND LUKE, KELLY’S HEROES, TWO LANE BLACKTOP, PAT GARRET AND BILLY THE KID, DILLINGER, COCKFIGHTER and GODFATHER 2. These small but standout performances led to supporting roles as Brett in ALIEN and Brain in Carpenter’s ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK. Rising to co-star in a cult hit worthy of his idiosyncrasies REPO-MAN led to Harry taking the lead as Travis Henderson in Wim Wender’s existential journey PARIS, TEXAS…but I digress. I’ve fallen into the trap that Director Sophie Huber manages to avoid, this doco isn’t concerned with filmography, it’s a day in the life character study of a renaissance man who would despise any singular label.
Inhabiting the soul of a musician as dominantly as actor, the documentary wisely chooses to have Harry Dean’s expressive, textured voice say in folk and blues what he can’t express on camera in conversation. The raw, searching emotion in his face, the crackling tender melancholy of his boozed and smoked journeyman ripened vocals remind of what’s largely missing from contemporary music; sincerity and tumultuous self exploration.
Aspiring to echo its muse, the black and white cinematography adds a time weary dimension to the talking heads. The color of career highlights and external, present day locations bring immediacy and modern day freshness.
Nice work buddy. A fresh approach.