Robert Downey Sr., who died on July 7, 2021, at the age of 85, was an underground American filmmaker, who in the 1960s made a lot of low budget movies across New York City, which would go on to inspire various modern filmmakers. You think youre just driving past Westwood and theres a picture of me and my dad, he noted. Nick Cannon Rejoices in Cancellation of Jada Pinkett Smith's Red Table Talk: That Table Was Toxic. ", He recalled becoming addicted around the time he made the 1987 film Less Than Zero. [12], National Board of Review Award for Best Documentary Feature, "Robert Downey Jr. 'Dolittle,' Sia's 'Music,' '365 Days' Lead 2021 Razzie Awards Nominees. ', Sr.: Robert Downey Jr. Rating: Is one powerful family to blame for the deaths of five people in the wilds of South Carolinas Lowcountry? Filming Locations for the Disney+ Movie, Alexander Molony Is the Perfect Blend of Charming and Naive in Disney+s Peter Pan & Wendy, What Time Will 'Peter Pan & Wendy' Be on Disney+? Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. I was just playing a game of wanting to self-soothe or stay loaded rather than deal with the fact that things had gone off the tracks." He continues, "Honestly . These concluding moments among three generations of Downey men are lovely and memorable. And then a funny thing happens on the way to Sr.s portrait of an artist: It ends up becoming about not one but two men, dual reluctance be damned. Trust anything, and anything can happen, Downey Sr. said. Such is the heartbreak of impending loss. This documentary is one final project for Sr., a collaboration with Jr. thats directed by American Movies Chris Smith, and inextricably and inscrutably autobiographical for both Downey men. 'Sr.': Robert Downey Jr. Pays Tribute to His Late, Great Father Its nervy in its restless meta-qualities, with scenes frequently addressing the very conception and construction of this film. Jr. later claims that this isnt a father and son story, and that its more about life, death and what happens in between: Were here, we do stuff and then were gone. But his claim about the former is only half right; its not just about one father-and-son story. McKay's cast includes Amy Adams ( Vice ), Forest Whitaker ( Big George Foreman ), Danielle Deadwyler ( Till ), and Robert Downey Jr. ( Oppenheimer ), who most recently produced and appeared in his . Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! "It was just a wild era," said Downey Jr. "That whole world, it gets tied into creativity. By now you'd think Robert was Jimmy Cliff's dealer at age 8. It's Me, Margaret. 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Succession Recap: Logan Roy Makes Shock Return, Shiv and Tom Get Kinky, We also get the requisite clips of Sr.s movies, and a sense of the era in which avant-garde, grainy 16mm movies about a guy marrying his mom (big up Chafed Elbows!) Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter I didnt even know if this thing was going to come out so I wasnt thinking about it the way you would where youre like, well youd better make sure that stupid fucking beanie youre wearing looks right on your [head]. We catch up with Jr. and Sr. at Jr.s home in the Hamptons as they discuss naming this very film Sr.; Sr. doesnt like it, but obviously, it stuck. Sr. visits a duck pond in the middle of New York, and marvels at how there are so many little cavorting ducklings in such a dense, urban area. Netflix Kicks Off Emmy Campaign Season with 'Wednesday' Stunt - The Eventually, a chronological narrative starts to form, as we see early successes lead to other opportunities, a West Coast relocation, drugs, more drugs, a second marriage, and rehabilitation. The film explores Downey Sr.'s life and work, including his influential 1969 satirical comedy, Putney Swope. Robert Downey Sr's life of drugs, taboo-busting films and parental Robert Downey Jr. on Making of 'Sr.,' Addiction and Finding Peace With Final Moments of His Father's Life: "This is Not a Disney+ Thing" The superstar actor joined producer-wife Susan. ", Downey Jr., who is now sober, said it took him another 20 years to "get my own s--- together.". His first wife appears in four of his films (Chafed Elbows, Pound, Greaser's Palace, Moment to Moment), as well as co-writing one (Moment to Moment). Even his wife was surprised. ), Shot in New York, L.A. and East Hampton in atmospheric black-and-white (effectively recalling the vibe of Sr.s early output), the movie features an array of clips from most of Downey Sr.s films, including 1975s alliteratively titled and narratively incomprehensible Two Tons of Turquoise to Taos Tonight and the iconoclasts one ill-fated (and admittedly terrible) foray into studio directing, the 1980 military-school farce, Up the Academy.. In the new Netflix documentary Sr., the Iron Man actor, 57, pays tribute to his director dad Robert Downey Sr., who had Parkinson's disease and died in July 2021 at 85. All Rights Reserved. : The recent slate of surprisingly intimate celeb-bio documentaries includes Val Kilmers Val, Charlotte Gainsbourgs Jane by Charlotte and Jonah Hill-and-his-therapist film Stutz. John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The good-natured Exton plays a key part toward the end of the doc when he and his dad visit New York to spend some final time with the dying Downey Sr. I passed him a joint," he recalled at the time. In addition, where exactly was Downey Sr. not to mention Downey Jr.s actress-mother and Downey Sr.s first wife, Elsie (they divorced in 1982) during Downey Jr.s darkest days? Robert Downey Jr. Recalls Drug Addiction in Sr. Documentary - People This whole project sadly started off for me, honestly, it was an avoidance pattern. Long before Jr. had his own career in show business, Downey Sr. had made a name for himself as a 60s New York underground filmmaker with a knack for pushing envelopes, offending timid sensibilities and giving the establishment the finger. ), How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, Plaschke: Lakers live up to their legacy with a close-out win for the ages, At Willie Nelson 90, country, rock and rap stars pay tribute, but Willie and Trigger steal the show, Review: In Guardians 3, ultra-weird superhero fun doesnt have to be Rocket science, The new Tom Cruise just might be a London office worker with a taste for risk, Jonathan Majors accuser gets full temporary protection order ahead of court date, Review: A deep-cut masterwork, De Humani Corporis Fabrica is already one of 2023s best movies, Review: Girl power and freaky evil collide to make Polite Society a rowdy good time. Rated: R, for language and some drug useRunning time: 1 hour, 29 minutesPlaying: Starts Nov. 23, Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica; available Dec. 2 on Netflix, Robert Downey Sr. in the documentary Sr., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Jack Nicholson returns courtside to cheer beloved Lakers to playoff win, Disney neglected it. But by the time he actually gets there to have this conversation, its almost too late, Smith said. Regal Historical Fact Its just the way that it unfolded was really evocative, he explained, crediting Smith as our fearless director and adding, We were just trying to strike the right balance.. Downey 1.0 has spent his entire artistic life breaking rules or simply ignoring them outright; the dial on his gruff, Gotham-born-and-bred attitude is still permanently set somewhere between IDGAF and GFY. 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'Citadel' Episode Guide: When Do New Episodes Premiere on Prime Video? 2,972, This story has been shared 2,617 times. Filmed over three years, Sr. is an intimate exploration of the maverick directors colorful life and rebellious career as well as his relationship with his son before he passed away from Parkinsons disease on July 7, 2021. We dont get the answers we want when we want them. limited, Release Date (Streaming): But Downey Jr. was quick to point out that the filmmakers didnt set out to tug at the heart strings. By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Ahead of its Netflix release,Sr.will next screen at the New York Film Festival on Oct. 10 and 11. 1h 30m, Distributor: By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Documentary, Original Language: Downey Jr starred in Robert Downey Sr's wacky counterculture movies as an child; now he puts this radical and potent personality in a documentary of his own Peter Bradshaw @ PeterBradshaw1 He has Parkinsons, and well watch him physically deteriorate as the documentary goes on. 'Sr.' Director On Things Left Unsaid Between Robert Downey Sr. And His We here about the effect that a bohemian lifestyle has on kids and what happens when one artists demons mirror anothers. The Two Bobs: Robert Downey Sr. and Robert Downey Jr. in 'Sr.' Netflix. So Smith and his fellow producer/cameraman Kevin Ford start rolling film on the old man, and it turns out that Downey Sr. is no more interested in someone telling his life story than his son is. Robert Downey Jr. on Making of 'Sr.,' Addiction and Father's Life - The Copyright Fandango. Chris Smith's Documentary "Sr.", an Affectionate - Netflix Robert Downey Jr.'s documentary "Sr.," a tribute to his dying father, filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., is the stuff dreams are made on, a freestyle, loopy narrative, much like that of his father's films, that doesn't so much as unfold as unravel. Kevin Ford, Release Date (Theaters): Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". Its incomplete if you dont, said the Iron Man star. Knowing what I know now, Smith said in a statement, its really the only way you could attempt to make something on the two Downeys. 1,370, This story has been shared 1,340 times. Pamela Anderson's New Memoir: Biggest Bombshells and Revelations, from Jack Nicholson to JFK Jr. Bryan Martin on How Writing Music After Misfiring a Gun Saved His Life: 'I've Lived Through It', Robert Downey Jr. Even a casual viewer can tell that Jr. keeps wanting to ask his dad questions that Sr. might not want to answer, and that they both know that time is running out. 4,235, This story has been shared 2,972 times. Jr. remembers his father as being driven by his filmmaking vision always people around him, always working, always writing, always turning the house into an editing bay. The doc touches upon, rather than dissects, the idea that Jr.s addiction may have been inadvertently fostered by his permissive dad, a seemingly pivotal piece of their symbiotic dynamic. Back in 2000, Downey Sr. told Vanity Fair about the moment he gave drugs to Downey Jr. at age 6 when he caught him sipping wine. while is dad is literally dying in the next room.That none of this vital last half of Sr. feels narcissistic or performative its the opposite of that infamously cringeworthy Truth or Dare sequence is a testament to Smith, his editors and his subjects. The website's consensus reads: "Sr. is an illuminating look at a fascinating filmmaker -- and a poignant tribute to a father from his son. It currently sits as Downey Jr.s best reviewed project on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, a surreal fact that he pointed out on stage. Robert Downey Sr. and Robert Downey Jr. in 2014. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. [Full disclosure: I saw that 69 acid-tipped comedy about race relations, revolution and the counter-culture getting a consumerist makeover, as a kid a few weeks after our first neighborhood video store opened. Robert Downey Jr. reconnects with his filmmaker dad in Netflix's "Sr." is set to screen at the New York Film Festival on October 10, 2022 with an encore screening on October 11, 2022. Sr. sits in an adjustable bed, his room converted into a makeshift editing bay, and watches the completed film but if it was completed, how could it include this very scene? This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. Robert Downey Jr. on Making of 'Sr.,' Addiction and Finding Peace With Final Moments of His Father's Life: "This is Not a Disney+ Thing" The superstar actor joined producer-wife Susan. A Netflix documentary about counterculture filmmaker Robert Downey Sr, directed by his much more famous actor son, Sr. charts the last three years of the life of "Bob Sr" before he dies of Parkinson's disease in 2021 at age eighty-five. Trending Robert Downey Jr. has done this in a documentary that he co-produced called Sr., which is one of the most anticipated Robert Downey Jr. upcoming projects because it is more personal and. Theres so many examples of it right now where everyones trying to get their narrative out there. "Sr.," directed by Chris Smith, is a work of father-son harmony more than might be suggested by Downey Sr.'s typically brusque assertion of filmmaking independence. Rittenhouse Square (2005) Robert Downey Sr. Documentary Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Robert Downey Jr. pays tribute to his late father in this documentary chronicling the life and eclectic career of pioneering filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. I knew of Robert Downey Sr. but I didnt really know him or his work that well, Smith said. A thousand thank yous, Sr.]. Eventually, Jr. and his son go back east to see Sr., at which part a serious leap of faith completely turns into an incredible example of trust. The Times is committed to reviewing theatrical film releases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! Coming Soon. Streaming Schedule, Season 5, Part 2 Debut Info, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved, Robert Downey Jr. However, there is a thread that holds this narrative together: the chronology of Downey's short career, beginning with "Chafed Elbows" in 1966 to "Putney Swope" in 1969, the film for which he is best remembered (accepted to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress--an argument can be made for "Greaser's Palace" from 1972, a worthy film, fully realized, and borderline coherent). The Downeys: Robert Sr, left, and Jr, right, in the new Netflix documentary (Netflix) The documentary follows Downey Sr right up to the very end of his life, to the point where he is. Team Downey, Sound Mix: Performance Worth Watching: We all know Jr. and his inimitable personality (essentially a softer version of the flippant fast-talker we see on screen), so its fascinating to zoom in on Sr. and see how far the apple fell from the tree. When Chris Smith a documentarian who had tackled everything from Method acting run . The superstar actor joined producer-wife Susan Downey for a conversation with THR's Scott Feinberg as part of inaugural festival LA3C that was attended by Tom Holland, Zendaya and Adrien Brody. He made nearly 20 indie films in his career and many are featured in the doc including Sweet Smell of Sex, Chafed Elbows, Putney Swope, Pound, Greasers Palace, Hugo Pool, and Two Tons of Turquioise to Taos Tonight. Kiss Paul Stanley Has 'Thoughts' About Parents Who Support Kids Gender Identities In another time, Sr would have been the Paul Thomas Anderson of his age, making undefinable, irreverent, sometimes incomprehensible movies, but with wider acceptance and better production values. In the end scene, he [says to his dad], Is there anything that you would want your kid to know? He doesnt get the answer that I think maybe he was looking for, but at the same time, it feels almost more poetic in a way. Robert Downey Sr. was an American filmmaker who gained prominence thanks to his work on Putney Swope, an underground satire following the cutthroat advertising world of New York's Madison. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. "We had a meeting at his company and just sort of threw out the idea of doing a documentary on [Robert Downey Jr.]," Smith recalled during an . He ended up participating because he had the way he was willing to participate, which again, now in reflection makes sense because this is a guy who always communicated through his movies, much more than ever articulating any responses. We also meet Sr.s third wife, Rosemary; Downey Jr.s second wife and business partner, Susan (a producer here with Downey Jr.); and Jr. and Susans young children, son Exton and, more briefly, daughter Avri. with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. 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