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STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces

2024

Morgan Neville

Documentary, Self: Steve Martin, Finn Wittrock, Martin Short ...

7.1

Documentary Documentary (2024). 2 episodes. Steve Martin is one of the most beloved and enigmatic figures in entertainment. Dive into his extraordinary story from two distinct points of view—past and present—as Martin reflects on how his beginnings led to his unexpectedly fulfilling life today.

	Media	Author	Review
		Peter Bradshaw The Guardian	"This is a thoroughly watchable, intimate and intelligent portrait (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"
		Peter Debruge Variety	"For this Apple TV+ exclusive, Neville attempts something wholly unconventional, splitting the project into two distinct feature-length pieces, 'Then' and 'Now', which take radically different forms"
		Pete Hammond Deadline	"There is so much here. It really is an exhaustive look at a star who has decided to let his fans in for far more than they ever might have thought possible. It appears little is left on the cutting room floor"
		Jessica Kiang The Washington Post	"A smart and charming portrait of a smart and charming man who keeps it all willfully, unfashionably apolitical, and who carefully avoids talking trash about anyone other than himself (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)"
		Tim Robey Telegraph	"Interesting but superficial two-part documentary that should afford more insight than it does (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"
		Adam Graham Detroit News	"The two chapters help shine a spotlight on a performer who has always had a wall up and is still learning how to let us see over the top of it"
		Alex Maidy JoBlo	"I would recommend audiences watch it as two separate films rather than two parts of a whole. It gives you an in-depth look at one of the preeminent comedic talents of all time"
		Brian Tallerico rogerebert.com	"It’s a clever move to make what is essentially two feature-length documentaries about the man, and yet it still somehow feels like some of this story remains untold. That’s just how rich Steve Martin’s career has been (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)"
		Vikram Murthi IndieWire	"A comedy icon looks back on his unique legacy in Apple TV+’s epic new doc"
		Daniel Fienberg The Hollywood Reporter	"Half-good (...) 'Now' is far better than 'Then'"
		Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times	"Martin seems almost surprised, but also eternally grateful, that he found such happiness so late in life. We're thrilled for him (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)"
		Nina Metz Chicago Tribune	"He's complicated and the documentary captures that in all the right ways (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)"
		John Anderson The Wall Street Journal	"Making film about creativity is a losing proposition, ordinarily, but Mr. Neville comes dangerously close to positioning the artistic impulse on screen naked"
		Craig Mathieson The Age	"It's rare that contentment provides the perfect finale for a life story, but [it] successfully funnels a vast creative life down to a compelling personal portrait (...) Rating: ★★★★½ (out of 5)"
		David Fear Rolling Stone	"[It] revisits the heyday of a wild and crazy comedian"
		Kate Stables Total Film	"A deeply affectionate but overstuffed portrait (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"
		Neil Alcock Empire	"A fascinating compare-and-contrast exercise between an innovative, anxious young man on the cusp of greatness, and the cultural icon he became (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"
		Brian Lowry CNN	"[It showcases] a personality everybody knows but, at least in his heyday, few really knew. And if that sounds a trifle sentimental, well, excuuuse me"
		Andrew Parker The Gate	"'STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces' hits an unusually pleasing, comprehensive sweet spot without compromise"
		Sean L. McCarthy Decider	"Everyone should make sure to watch the second part, which provides a much richer, fuller portrait of the comedian, actor, playwright, art collector, and in his later years, husband, father and comedy partner"

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