In the final part in Criterion's 4 part series of interviews between PTA and
filmmaker/iconoclast Robert Downey Sr., the pair discuss "Putney Swope" (1969), probably the latter filmmaker's best known work. As we've already mentioned, Paul said 'Putney' showed him “you could be really punk rock in a movie. You could do anything. It
didn’t have to make sense. As long as it was funny or funny to the guy
who was making it, it would come across as exciting.” If you haven't seen it already, you can check out the film now as part of Criterion's 5 film set of Downey's work entitled Up All Night with Robert Downey Sr.
Though there wasn't much meat on the bone -- so to speak -- in the way of enlightening info, it was nice to watch these two filmmakers casually chatting about film. And we'd like to thank Criterion again for putting these together.
Watch Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
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The moment where he is watching his film and sees it again as if for the first time and is "beginning to appreciate these films again" is grand. In retrospect self criticism can be deafening - always fun to see someone realize the good they have done.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know how PT knows Bob Downey? He seems to have met him before he even made Sydney/Hard Eight.
ReplyDeleteMy first guess would be through his father. Apparently, Earnie knew all kinds of oddball characters in showbiz. Not positive though.
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