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R Released Oct 18, 2002 1h 44m Biography Drama List
72% Tomatometer 165 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A successful TV star during the 1960s, former "Hogan's Heroes" actor Bob Crane (Greg Kinnear) projects a wholesome family-man image, but this front masks his persona as a sex addict who records and photographs his many encounters with women, often with the help of his seedy friend, John Henry Carpenter (Willem Dafoe). This biographical drama reveals how Crane's double life takes its toll on him and his family, and ultimately contributes to his death.
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Critics Consensus

Kinnear and Dafoe help make this downward spiral of one man's life a compelling watch.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek The movie's themes are aptly captured in the double entendre of the title, suggesting both Crane's narcissism and the video technology that abets it...a lot of Auto Focus is coolly funny--it's a slyly satiric comedy of '60s manners. Mar 12, 2018 Full Review Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) Another probing case history of male pathology from one of the most consistently interesting American film-makers alive. Oct 19, 2003 Full Review Ian Freer Empire Magazine Rated: 4/5 Apr 21, 2003 Full Review Mitchell Beaupre Paste Magazine When you get to the final, haunting line of “men gotta have fun,” you know exactly why this is a Paul Schrader picture. Rated: 9.5/10 Jun 24, 2024 Full Review Justine Smith Vague Visages Part biopic and part meditation on sexual addiction... Jun 5, 2024 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A distant, even sterile, yet compulsively watchable look at the sordid life of Hogan's Heroes star Bob Crane. Rated: 3/4 Aug 29, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Gareth v A movie about the facade of one's life, and a man's downward spiral, that for the most part is a compelling watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/24 Full Review GM You watch it and don't watch it at the same time. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Michael W This showbiz biopic was alright. Greg Kinnear, Willem Dafoe, Rita Wilson, Maria Bello, and the rest of the cast did a pretty good job in this movie. This true story about actor Bob Crane was dramatic, dark, and depressing. It's about addiction and losing everything in the process. If you haven't seen this movie yet, don't waste your time. It's not worth watching. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 12/08/22 Full Review jelisije j Not a movie you will want to see over and over again, but its a nice biopic of the man who played Col. Hogan from the beloved sitcom Hogans Heroes and his fall from grace. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Sharp filmmaking style skillfully mimics Crane’s descent from bland to manic, but the performances, though competent, feel restrained & dulled. Bleak ending falls a little flat - it doesn’t conclude so much as it just… stops. #nitrosMovieChallenge Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/19/22 Full Review chris k Greg Kinnear is outstanding in his role as the troubled Bob Crane and there is probably a movie to be made about Crane's life. Not sure this is it however. The mystery of who killed him is no clearer and by the end you feel that Crane was not the greatest bloke and husband going around. You don't really know much more about him than a cursory look at Wikipedia might offer though and that is the biggest flaw in the movie. The recreations of Hogan's Heroes are great and the feel of the 1970's is captured really well but it all feels a bit like biting into an apple pie and finding the filling is missing. If you are a huge fan of either Crane or Hogan's Heroes it may be worth a look but it is heavy going and reminds you a bit of wading through mud without ever really finding firm ground. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis A successful TV star during the 1960s, former "Hogan's Heroes" actor Bob Crane (Greg Kinnear) projects a wholesome family-man image, but this front masks his persona as a sex addict who records and photographs his many encounters with women, often with the help of his seedy friend, John Henry Carpenter (Willem Dafoe). This biographical drama reveals how Crane's double life takes its toll on him and his family, and ultimately contributes to his death.
Director
Paul Schrader
Producer
Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, Todd Rosken, Pat Dollard, Alicia Allain
Screenwriter
Michael Gerbosi
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Propaganda Films
Rating
R (Nudity|Language|Some Drug Use|Strong Sexuality|Violence)
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 18, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.1M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Surround
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