Is Filmworker a Hidden Treasure or Dumpster Fire?

Blu Ray Distributed by Kino Lorber

Leon Vitali was a rising British television actor when Stanley Kubrick picked him for the role of Lord Bullingdon in Barry Lyndon. That first encounter with the famed auteur proved decisive — he swiftly resolved to devote the rest of his life working for the director, this time behind the scenes, and took on just about every job available: casting director, acting coach, location scouter, sound engineer, color corrector, A.D., promoter, and eventually restorer of Kubrick’s films. Tony Zierra’s affecting documentary profiles the devoted “filmworker” — Vitali’s preferred job title — as he enthusiastically recounts his days with the notoriously meticulous, volatile and obsessive director. The experiences brought both tremendous sacrifice and glowing pride. Filmworker celebrates the invisible hands that shape masterpieces, reminding us that behind every great director, there is a Leon Vitali.

Jamie’s Take

Filmworker asks the questions: Would you give up a promising career to help a notable artist in his / her creativity? Can you love another person’s career and vision so much that it is worth giving up your own life to help serve that artist?

Filmworker isn’t just a film about Stanley Kubrick’s personal assistant, Leon Vitali but about dedication, sacrifice and the selfless act of assisting that very person one looks up to and believes in, no matter the cost.

This documentary follows Leon Vitali, a once promising actor in television shows and movies until he was blessed with a chance to audition for his idol; Stanley Kubrick. That film was 1975’s Barry Lyndon and Vitali won the role of Lord Bullingdon, the stepson to the main character played by Ryan O’Neal.

Vitali wanted nothing more than to continue to work with Kubrick, no matter what the role was. He offered to work in any position on a film set and was forced to learn the craft of several jobs, becoming a glorified gofer. He was Kubrick’s right hand man; his shadow. And when Vitali wasn’t on a film set, he assisted the director and was on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for whatever Kubrick needed.

Vitali’s dedication and love for not only Kubrick but for the art of filmmaking is the main story of Filmworker. Vitali was the one who cast young Danny Lloyd in The Shining and helped the young actor during filming to memorize his lines while preparing for the role of Danny Torrance.

Vitali also assisted in getting the late R. Lee Ermey the role of Gny. Sgt. Hartman in Full Metal Jacket. While the role was already cast, Vitali hired Ermey to help train the actors already cast in the film to act like U.S. Marines. As Vitali recorded Ermey in action, he showed the footage to Kubrick who instantly made the casting change. The original actor who was hired to play Hartman, Tim Colceri, is also interviewed and still seems disappointed in losing the role that could have sparked his own career.

It was during the making of Full Metal Jacket that things began to change and Vitali was tasked in assisting Kubrick in almost everything he needed done which Vitali always obeyed, despite the lack of sleep and nourishment. While Kubrick’s demeanor changed, with many tongue lashings directed at his assistant, Vitali stayed true to his boss, knowing that what he was doing was serving the greater good of art.

Filmworker shines the most when the film shifts focus to Vitali’s home life and upbringing as his father, who died when he was only eight, seemed to have the same sort of quiet anger and perfectionism much like Kubrick’s. Unfortunately Vitali chooses not to talk about his personal life and this moment is cut short when he declines to comment any further. It is obvious that even as an older adult, Vitali still has demons in his closest that he is unwilling to share (his ex-wife and current wife are never mentioned and his children and siblings share very little screen time).

Fans of Kubrick’s movies will undoubtedly love some of the never before seen set footage of Kubrick on film sets. Another recent documentary that is similar in nature, S is For Stanley could serve as a great double feature with Filmworker.

Kino Lorber’s DVD does come with an interview conducted at a screening of Filmworker with Vitali and director Zierra. The audio is hard to hear and the interview seems to have been cut short but that may be a good thing as it spares us from hearing a potentially cringing Q&A from the audience. There is a trailer but that is all for the special features.

It’s hard for me to say if Filmworker would hold the interest with general audiences or if this will appease only film lovers. I feel the very essence of the documentary about a man who dedicates his life for someone else can be universally appreciated.

Hidden Treasure/Dumpster Fire

Movie:	(4.5 / 5)
Video/Audio:	(4.0 / 5)
Extras:	(2.5 / 5)
Average:	(3.7 / 5)

[amazon_link asins=’B07FT36D24,B07FPYV373′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’trashmenamaz-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’ac469c0c-a6ff-11e8-bd77-cde10e40fb48′]