Six Stunt Documentaries


By Matt Prigge 
Add Comment Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Sep. 22, 2009

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The Up series (1964-present): Starting with the TV doc Seven Up!, 14 British people have been the subject of a strange experiment: Every seven years they’re visited by Hollywood director Michael Apted, who asks them what’s changed. The initial idea was to test the Jesuit motto “Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man.” But as the films piled up (coming in 2012: 56 Up ) it’s far more useful as a cosmic document of whole lives lived before one’s eyes.

Let It Be (1970): Desperate to reinvigorate a band eaten away by aggressive studio experimentation and diverging interests, Paul McCartney coaxed his fellow Beatles into not only recording a classic down-and-dirty album, but hiring a film crew to document it. Almost none of the horror that resulted made the cut, notably George Harrison briefly quitting the band. Meanwhile what did—John Lennon making out with an omnipresent Yoko, Ringo bored even for him, McCartney’s touchingly failed attempts at exuberance—only add to the air of discomfort. But at least it goes out with a bang.


20 Dates (1998): Concern: Myles Berkowitz needs a girl and a career. Solution: Make a doc chronicling 20 horrifying dates. Problem: Berkowitz
is an obnoxious, unlikable creep. Result: Berkowitz has never been heard from again.


Super Size Me (2004): McDonald’s is not good for your health. Huh.


My Date With Drew (2005): With the meager winnings from a game show, Brian Herzlinger set out to woo Ms. Barrymore. At least he fared better than Berkowitz: he’s working one of those in-high-demand Heather Graham vehicles.


No Impact Man (2009): Colin Beavan
and family’s attempts to leave no carbon footprint for a year might be a stunt, but they’re no Morgan Spurlocks. Also: worm composts in the living room? Badass!

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No Impact Man
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Posted Sep. 22, 2009 | Comments: 0