Fiery but feeling his years and his illness, ailing filmmaker Leonard
Fife (Richard Gere) wants to tell his life story, unfiltered, before
it's too late. As the director of lauded documentary exposés, he has
much to be proud of, but his avoidance of the Vietnam War draft and his
past relationships harbor thorny truths. Finally choosing to reveal the
truth and lies in his life and career, Leonard sits for an extended
filmed interview with his former student Malcolm (Michael Imperioli),
charging ahead with candid stories about his younger self (Jacob Elordi)
in the fractious 1960s and beyond. At Leonard's insistence, his wife
and indispensable partner, Emma (Uma Thurman), hears it all. Leonard's
successes are held up against his failings--the fibs held up against the
facts--and as the man in full is cleansed of the myth, Leonard must
confront what is left.
Gere remains a unique camera object, with a stunning mastery of filling a
close-up with an unblinking stillness conveying feelings easier left
behind.
- Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
There’s much to like here, particularly in Gere’s vulnerable performance
and just how openly Schrader is expressing what feels like his own
concerns about aging, regret, and reputation. - Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com