"The Kid Stays in the Picture" review

The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)

Directed by Nanette Burstein Brett Morgen
Writing credits Robert Evans Brett Morgen

Robert Evans.... Himself - Narrator (also archive footage)

"The Kid Stays in the Picture" is a documentary about a guy who was really lucky. Then he wasn't so lucky. Then he was again. He was/is a producer/studio head/actor/party animal/super stud etc. It's a documentary that proves that people can never be truly happy. They can never be content. It is never enough. For Robert Evans, the mountain top was his home. He didn't handle it well when he was booted off. So he climbed it again. It was the top of Mount Evans or nothing.

Evans, (as he likes to refer to himself), knows that he's led a blessed life. He makes a string of classic films and life is sweet. Unfortunately, his Love Story comes crashing down as he loses Ali MacGraw because he was too busy being Evans. No problem for Evans though. He bounces back. No matter what calamity befalls him, he's right back. Then the 80's rear its head and it's a steep drop.

Maybe I've seen too many confessional pieces where people wallow in self-pity. I just can't shed a tear for heartbroken millionaires. Evans is treated badly after "The Cotton Club" and he gets down on life. This is where the documentary lost me. The 70's had the great Hollywood anecdotes. The 80's were pure misery, for Evans and for this viewer. I'm glad Evans bounced back again to go on to produce "Jade". Now there was a good sleazy film. But to sit there and listen to this guy go on about how depressed he was turned me cold. Grown men weeping will kill any flick. Evans should know that.

SCORE: 2.5 out of 4 Evans