DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: "Sr."

4/5

Iron Heart.

90 Mins. Starring: Robert Downey Jr. & Robert Downey Sr. Director: Chris Smith.

Forgive me for my 'Sr.' moment. Perhaps I shouldn't be reviewing this personal love letter to a father and cinema. A film so close to its subjects hearts that isn't ours to discuss in discourse, even if we blog about the blockbusters. But yet, I feel like documenting this documentary like its father and son do for the heart of what really matters. And the family story that should be shared with others no matter how close to the home or bone. So here it goes. Let's get it all down whilst we can. 

Robert Downey Jr. has always been an amazing artist. Even with the massive Marvel machine he billion dollar bookended by declaring 'I Am Iron Man' and rebooting a superhero franchise of franchises in an Avenging year and same summer the late, great Heath Ledger stole the show in as the Clown Prince of Crime in 'The Dark Knight'. Before his 'Ally McBeal' comeback, you only have to see his Academy Award nominated and BAFTA winning performance as Charlie 'Chaplin' (referenced here in reflection) in the Richard Attenborough picture, giving voice to a truly Hollywood icon. Or hear his album 'The Futurist' like a lip sync to Elton John's 'I Want Love' walking 'round the loneliness of an empty mansion, talking to the walls like Willie Nelson. 

It's clear here that talent doesn't skip a generation as the artist's muse is his father. Robert Downey Sr. The underground New York director as legendary to the city as dolls like Lou Reed or Carole King. The tapestry of this late legend's work even featuring his son's first feature film debut. Being walked on before he stole the show as a child star who asked a bald man if he had any hair you know where. No comment when it comes to that carpet and drapes question. Taking no countercultural prisoners in satire, the weird and wonderful work of the 'Putney Swope' director needs to be revisited, or met for the first time like it is on this Netflix special that out of nowhere may be the best thing the streaming service has done this year and worthy of The Academy in award.

Sobering and moving in beautiful black and white like a Joaquin Phoenix coming of New York age and come find yourself 'C'mon, C'mon'. Or the childhood story of Oscar winning Alfonso Cuarón's 'Roma'. 'Sr.', directed by Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner, 'American Movie' director Chris Smith and produced by Junior and his wife and former co-president of Dark Castle Entertainment Susan Downey is a revelation. Documenting the legacy of Robert Senior and his last days as a tale of two Bobbys sees two men muse on love and life and those equal measures they have for each other in boundless beauty. 

It's not the sins of the father that were visited on the son, rather the darkness of an all consuming Hollywood that along with addiction threatened to swallow them up. That was until they both individually and together spat out that notion to live a life as black and white as NYC photos in frames on the walls of your studio apartments. To see both Roberts talking about it all, taking stock and lamenting the loved ones and the parts of themselves they lost along the way is not our story to tell, but theirs as we watch. Besides, the lumps in our collective throats will be too much to talk. 

Dynamite direction and compelling charisma as per the Downey family is on display from the first snake cane, to the last word. And a better post-credit scene than even the M.C.U. And just wait until the third generation gets involved in inspired impression. Because what is a senior without his junior? And what is this Robert Downey Jr. without 'Sr.' Hitting home for the holidays, this is for all the fathers we think of fondly. And to those of us still lucky to be able to call one, it's time to come home this Christmas and make some new memories. Forever. Love you, Pop. It's your birthday this week, and I'm in Japan. But I'll see you in a few weeks, my best friend. Take care. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: Let's take this moment to all explore the vast and fabulous filmography of the late, great Robert Downey Sr.