Audience Member
The Bill Murray Experience (2017,) directed and starring Sadie Katz, is a multi-faceted documentary that explores the director's journey to have her very own Bill Murray experience with the famous comedic Hollywood actor, a man that she idealizes, whose public antics are cemented in the public imagination and whose antics have contributed to his mythic status.
The narrative of finding Bill Murray is juxtaposed against her trials and tribulations to meet the reclusive actor, aspects of her backstory, and the cult fascination with Bill Murray, which moves the narrative and creates dramatic tension.
Katz weaves together many visual elements to create an insightful documentary exploring the love affair she and his fans have for the actor. Katz uses interstitial titles to structure the film. The film includes many amusing animated scenes recounting many instances of the phenomenon of the Bill Murray experience, and her own experiences, thoughts and ideas to have her own experience which frames the film and contextualizes her fixation within a broader context. The film includes interviews with many of his devoted fans, his brother Joel Murray, an actor too, and his co-star P.J. Soles from the movie Stripes, archival footage, social media clips, stills, and voice-over. Close ups and medium angles shots are interspersed with wide angle shots, and the film incorporates both day and night and interior and exterior footage shot over an extended period of time at multiple locations.
A stalker, she is not, although, her obsession to have a Bill Murray experience borders on the insane, in my opinion. Be that as it may, I don't doubt her sincerity and motivation. What's so intriguing about the documentary is the sub-text when considering that Katz herself is a talented Hollywood writer and actor with numerous film credits to her name. Yet, here she is embarking on this insane journey to meet the legendary actor, and to document it. You may be guessing: has she lost it? Had she considered therapy rather than making a documentary? Anyway, you be the judge. But, then again, I am not surprised that she would follow her bliss given that American society is a culture where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is a celebrated concept and an integral part of the fabric of its foundation. Nevertheless, as the subject of her film, she tells it in a whimsical, heartfelt and tongue-in-cheek way that gives the film a depth and complexity.
The Bill Murray Experience is a well-crafted personal documentary with a twist. It is a must for anyone who wants to understand the social phenomenon of the Bill Murray experience. Besides exploring a fascinating topic, the film is a labor of love to a beloved actor which many of his fans will appreciate. Although, I am left wondering if the actor himself would deign to watch it. I am reserving my judgement. But more importantly, it's an intimate portrait of a quirky, talented actress who flexed her creative muscles and put herself out there to make a fascinating documentary about her passion to have a Bill Murray experience, and to share it with us, warts and all.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/24/23
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Audience Member
Vanity project where selfish Hollywood type, talks about herself for duration.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
01/18/23
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Audience Member
For me, the first two thirds of this documentary was painful and sad to watch, as a charismatic and vivacious actress Sadie Katz (who also directed the film) became totally obsessed in having her own Bill Murray Experience, driving herself to the point of having to check into a hospital for exhaustion.
What is a Bill Murray Experience? Reportedly, the iconic actor and comedian would, on occasion, randomly crash events such as ice cream socials, bachelor parties, and kickball games, much to the shock and delight of the attendees there. Thus, with her engagement called off and other circumstances in her life taking a downward trend, Katz decided to devote herself completely to the project of tracking down Murray for a one of a kind life experience.
As mentioned, watching this unfold early on made me often squirm in my seat, but towards the final third of the movie, we'll see an art show completely devoted to hardcore fans of Murray, which I found interesting. (Who knew)? Then there was an interview with the actress P.J. Soles, who offered up to Katz some juicy tidbits on her working with Murray on and off the set of Stripes.
I won't write spoilers here and reveal how this all turned out, but I thought the doc's near 180 as it progressed made the film much more palatable as a watch, at least for me.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/25/23
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Audience Member
Wow. You might think this a movie about Bill Murray, but it is a Voyeuristic journey where you watch a beautiful young woman unravel and self destruct. This movie made me feel good about myself and my life choices. But I definitely want to know how she is now and what Bill Murray thinks of the whole thing.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
02/17/23
Full Review
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