Ryan McNeil
In some ways it’s difficult to write about a film like AND EVERYTHING IS GOING FINE. Not to play the cop-out card, but for many reasons you’ll either like it, or you won’t. For starters, there’s the fact that we are listening to a person tell their life story piece by piece through cobbled monologues. For some, it could just be a case of “only so much archival footage…”. For others though, this is one last chance to listen to a master storyteller with a very unique delivery tell his life story.
Actor Spalding Gray made his bones by performing monologues on stage about his life experiences peppered with all manner of neuroses. Sadly, he passed away last year
Edit – He “disappeared” in January 2004. His body was found in the East River two months later. He jumped from the Staten Island ferry. (Thanks Yojimbo – MH)
As a final goodbye to his one-time collaborator, director Steven Soderbergh has created a doc that allows Gray to tell his own story, almost from beginning to end.
What amazed me most about Gray, was the way so many performances were cut together with a dialogue rhythm that remained constant throughout. Here is a man who has told these stories hundreds of times. Now, he has simmered them to the point that the poetry in his delivery has risen to the surface. And a unique delivery it is. You don’t even lose focus as he tells you about his mother while he holds up a copy of Playboy.
I enjoyed this doc a lot – especially to hear Gray underline the two things all actors should get to do on stage. However, as I said off the top, I am left wondering if this film is too niche for wide audiences. As much as I listened, laughed, and loved during this film, I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes down as an experimental project…one last goodbye to an old friend.
I think there's an audience for this, probably more than when Gray was alive and making money with his nationally released filmed monologues. The mysterious way he died and the "legendary" status he achieved will bring in not only a devoted audience, but a curious one, too.
By the way, he "disappeared" in January 2004. His body was found in the East River two months later. He jumped from the Staten Island ferry.
Spalding Gray was one creepy dude.
Sadly, that's all I know about him.
I completely agree with Yojimbo. Other reviews from the US Film Festivals and Hot Docs show a wonderful film that will appeal to Spalding current fans and to be fans.
I'm also glad that they corrected the date of his passing. It took Soderbergh years to put this together from over 60 hours of footage. Yes, it is true that Spalding fans have been waiting a long time for this – and it is also true that many reviews have been excellent by people unaware of Spalding until now. I don't recall you stating how familar you were with Spalding already. Look for the release of this film in the Fall.
Having said all that, I am glad you enjoyed the film and thank you for the positive review.
jb
webmaster for the Estate of Spalding Gray
http://www.spaldinggray.com
@ Yojimbo… Hopefully you're right, after all it is indeed an really well constructed piece. Here's hoping audiences embrace it.
As to my factual error, many thanks – I'm not sure what caused me to zone out like that, but I've adjusted the post and given you credit for the assist.
@ Meredith… Track this down and watch it. It'll provide a lot more insight.
@ uptonatom… My familiarity with Gray was limited. I'd seen GRAY'S ANATOMY, and remembered a movie role or two, but not much more than that. So in that respect, consider this a reaction piece from a Gray Newbie.
Glad to hear that this will be getting a full release – it'll give me a chance to write a full review!
Thanks for reading and for your feedback.