Few if any living playwrights have been as successful for as long as Terrence McNally. “Every Act of Life” provides a predictably starry, rather standard, but satisfying overview of a prodigious career that is still going full-steam as the writer nears his ninth decade. It may require posterity to deliver a film that really weighs McNally’s influence, strengths, and weaknesses as a dramatist; Jeff Kaufman’s feature is more of a biographical valentine, aimed squarely at fans already somewhat knowledgeable about the subject’s life, works, and times. It should play well wherever such aficionados can be found — which is to say, anywhere Broadway and gay theater have a loyal base.
Opening with footage of McNally receiving a Tony — one of four won so far — for “Master Class” in 1996, this straightforward bio then backtracks to the start of a strictly chronological hagiography. Our protagonist traces lifelong “feelings of not...
Opening with footage of McNally receiving a Tony — one of four won so far — for “Master Class” in 1996, this straightforward bio then backtracks to the start of a strictly chronological hagiography. Our protagonist traces lifelong “feelings of not...
- 6/30/2018
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Essential viewing for theatre lovers, Every Act of Life which had its World Premiere at the 17th Tribeca Film Festival, is a tribute to the continuing career of multiple Tony-winning playwright Terrence McNally. His groundbreaking inclusion of layered gay characters and openness about his own sexuality made him stand out among his contemporaries such as Edward Albee, with whom he had a relationship as the film explores.
One of the film’s strengths it that although it is a loving portrait, it allows its contributors including Nathan Lane and Christine Baranski to discuss less flattering aspects of their experience of working with McNally as well as honouring him. The playwright himself is forthright about his own struggles with alcohol and recounts a memorable run in with screen legend Lauren Bacall at a Sondheim house party when he spilt a drink on the her. We also hear both sides of an...
One of the film’s strengths it that although it is a loving portrait, it allows its contributors including Nathan Lane and Christine Baranski to discuss less flattering aspects of their experience of working with McNally as well as honouring him. The playwright himself is forthright about his own struggles with alcohol and recounts a memorable run in with screen legend Lauren Bacall at a Sondheim house party when he spilt a drink on the her. We also hear both sides of an...
- 4/30/2018
- by James Kleinmann
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
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