Directed by Brian Cook (who, with screenwriter Anthony Frewin, used to work with the real Kubrick), Color Me Kubrick ensnares curiosity by suggesting a darker, psychological motivation for what Conway did until he was exposed with some glee by the British media. It's all summed up succinctly in a program note by producer Michael Fitzgerald, who suggests, "The film has three hidden messages. One, anyone can be Stanley Kubrick. Two, all crimes perpetrated in the name of celebrity will be rewarded by celebrity itself. Three, if you ever meet a celebrity, watch your wallet."
Kubrick found himself increasingly irritated by the antics of Conway, who cut a dash through London society, but Cook looks beyond the story at hand to measure the mesmerizing appeal of celebrity — and how people are willing to suspend disbelief in favor of what they want to see and believe.
For film buffs there is much added pleasure to be derived from the apt references to Kubrick's own films and from the use of music to the clips and the restaging of scenes from
A Clockwork Orange,
2001: A Space Odyssey,
The Shining
and so on. Malkovich relishes the character quirks in a performance that pulls out all the stops and pushes every button.
Distributor: Magnolia
Cast: John Malkovich, Jim Davidson, Richard E. Grant, Luke Mably, Marc Warren, Terence Rigby, Marisa Berenson and Ken Russell
Director: Brian Cook
Screenwriter: Anthony Frewin
Producers: Brian Cook and Michael Fitzgerald
Genre: Docu drama
Rating: Not rated
Running time 87 min.
Release date: March 23, 2007
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