Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool

2005 "Rebel. Heartthrob. Icon."
7.4| 1h27m| NR| en
Details

Friends, family, co-stars and admirers of actor Steve McQueen talk about his life and his movie career.

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Reviews

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.
Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Cissy Évelyne It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.
Woodyanders This documentary offers a fascinating wealth of information on legendary tough guy actor Steve McQueen. Everything from McQueen's troubled childhood to his exceptional charisma to his cool masculine presence to his competitive nature to his involvement with sex'n'drugs to his brave struggle with cancer gets addressed. Among the interview subjects are his wives Neile Adams and Barbara Minty (Adams' amazing anecdote about McQueen ordering two steaks in a restaurant is quite revealing), fellow actors Don Gordon, Robert Vaughn, Robert Culp, Sir Richard Attenborough, and Eli Wallach, directors Peter Yates and Norman Jewison, Suzanne Plushette, and son Chad (his stories about his dad being a loving and generous father are especially poignant). Starting off with his humble beginnings as a struggling newcomer at the Actors Studio in New York City, with additional details on his first lead in "The Blob," his breakthrough role on the hit TV series "Wanted: Dead or Alive," his star-making part in "The Magnificent Seven," confirming his iconic status in "The Great Escape," doing the lion's share of the driving for that extraordinary car chase in "Bullitt," his eventual interest in car racing, outstanding performance in "Papillon," becoming a recluse at the height of his popularity in the 70's, and his last two films "Tom Horn" and "The Hunter," this always compelling and perceptive documentary on the mesmerizing bad boy and former Marine with the piercing blue eyes who was a loner, a straight-shooter, an incredibly honest actor, and an extremely loyal friend makes you feel as if you actually knew McQueen by the end of the picture. Essential viewing.
liednangel This documentary is nostalgic and let us remember him as the way he was: the real fast and furious, but wonderful macho man on the screen, he often wanted to show everybody he was the strongest, the best, the most fearless and the bravest guy in the world, sometimes against the world, sometimes against the stablisment, sometimes against the unjustice, he was an example to many how to face adversity, no matter how tough the problems seemed to be, he tried to get over them and during his fifty years of live in this world, he lived in his own way and we'll always miss him, including new generations of fans and fortunately we can watch his films on TV and dvds.
bskweeksdion As a MAJOR McQueen fan all of my life, I was eager to see this documentary and I was not disappointed. Many actors whom I have enjoyed and admired were interviewed and greatly added to the interest of the film. I especially enjoyed the interviews with his friends behind the camera and his relationship with them. I must agree with an earlier reviewer who commented on Neile Adams' statements but I also saw a woman who still loved that man after all these years. McQueen's last years as he battled with cancer were heart-wrenching but, I think, were handled with such honesty that it was bearable. Those last interviews were awesome and is this beautiful film available on DVD yet?
boblipton This is a brilliant documentary on a fascinating film star. All too often, documentaries like this are bits of fluff that offer no insight into how the subject achieved what he did. Not this time.The interviews are conducted in a variety of manners. Some are conducted solo: his ex-wife, Neile Adams speaks of him, with an air of getting a lot of her chest; Robert Vaughn and Martin Landau, two of the most cerebral actors of that generation, talking about craft. Only Richard Attenborough is guarded.Other people they shoot in pairs or groups: director Norman Jewison and d.p. Haskell Wexler wind up talking freely, as do the three stuntmen, speaking in a group; and a taped interview with McQueen talks about his issues.It is not often you see the craft behind what goes onto the film. You do here. Don't miss this.