Paul Williams Still Alive

Name: Paul Williams Still Alive
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Musical, Documentary
Released: June 8, 2012
Duration: 87 min
Rating: 72
Cast: Paul Williams

2012

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Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Abramorama | Release Date: June 8, 2012 | PG-13

Starring: Paul Williams

Summary: He won Grammys and an Academy Award; wrote many #1 songs from Barbra Streisand's "Evergreen" to the Carpenter's "We've Only Just Begun" as well as Kermit the Frog's biggest hit, "The Rainbow Connection"; starred in a Brian DePalma movie; put out his own hit records and albums; was a guest on The Tonight Show fifty times; and is theHe won Grammys and an Academy Award; wrote many #1 songs from Barbra Streisand's "Evergreen" to the Carpenter's "We've Only Just Begun" as well as Kermit the Frog's biggest hit, "The Rainbow Connection"; starred in a Brian DePalma movie; put out his own hit records and albums; was a guest on The Tonight Show fifty times; and is the president of ASCAP... and you might not have heard of him. In the 1970's, Paul Williams was the singer / actor / songwriter that emotional, alienated teenage boys all over the world wanted to be, a sex symbol before MTV, when sex symbols could be 5"2 and sing songs about loneliness with the Muppets. One of those boys was Steve Kessler, a chubby kid from Queens. Thirty years later, Kessler discovered something amazing: Paul Williams didn't die. And no one had ever tried to make a documentary about him. A wistful musical journey that will re-introduce a new generation to Williams' soulful classics, "Paul Williams: Still Alive" is the self-narrated story of Stephen Kessler's lifelong obsession with the former superstar-and what happens when the nostalgic filmmaker finally catches up with him. (Abramorama Films)… Expand

Director: Stephen Kessler

Genre(s): Biography, Comedy, Musical, Documentary

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 87 min

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Critic Reviews

Lou Lumenick

Jun 7, 2012

Williams, who was elected president of ASCAP in 2009, speaks frankly and eloquently about his problems dealing with fame, and his recovery. And more important, he earns our thanks by resolutely refusing to let Kessler turn this into a clichéd documentary. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Jun 21, 2012

The movie is fascinating, though it smacks its own lips a bit too much at the tackiness of freak '70s stardom. Read full review

Joe Leydon

Jun 5, 2012

An engrossing and satisfying picture, one that can be enjoyed even by people who have never before heard of its subject. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Jul 28, 2012

What makes the movie so good is Williams' absolute refusal to play along. Read full review

Chris Packham

Jun 5, 2012

Johnny Carson loved him, and Williams had the credits to back himself up: As with Jimmy Webb, you could probably sing many of his songs without knowing that he's the author. Read full review

Boxoffice Magazine Inkoo Kang

Jun 13, 2012

Too bad the film's obscure star will be a hard sell to non-music geeks or anyone born after 1965, because this film's a blast. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

Jun 7, 2012

Kessler has indeed made a film about a fame-chasing narcissist in desperate need of attention. But that has nothing to do with the guy we came to see. Read full review

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FredSmith

Apr 23, 2013

I was recently reminded that a person dies three deaths: 1) their corporeal death, 2) when everyone who ever knew you has also died and 3) when your name is spoken for the last time, ever. I'm in favor of forestalling the latter as long as possible by making sure we learn from as much as weI was recently reminded that a person dies three deaths: 1) their corporeal death, 2) when everyone who ever knew you has also died and 3) when your name is spoken for the last time, ever. I'm in favor of forestalling the latter as long as possible by making sure we learn from as much as we can about those who directly and indirectly had a significant influence on our culture. Those who made their mark in the arts are especially vulnerable to being forgotten early due to our capricious tastes.

(You know, I'm surprised to see no one had reviewed this yet. Hmmm....)

The documentary succeeds because of the subject, Paul Williams. If you like music, I highly recommend you see this. This way, when one of your contemporary music idols mentions how one of Paul Williams songs influenced them or, indirectly, through one of their own influences, you'll know what of they speak.

Surprisingly entertaining. (Well, not that surprising seeing as I'd checked out Metacritic before renting it!)

Regardless, Paul Williams is one who, despite a great body of work, I'd expected to be relatively uninteresting in this day and age. Fortunately, I went with the reviews and am pleased I did.

Enjoy!… Expand

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Lyn

Jun 1, 2013

Sometimes a documentary's narrator takes a vital or heart-rending role that helps explore the subject. ("My Architect," for example.) But this is not one of those times. Stephen Kessler continually inserts himself in ways that actually detract from his subject. Wish he would have spend lessSometimes a documentary's narrator takes a vital or heart-rending role that helps explore the subject. ("My Architect," for example.) But this is not one of those times. Stephen Kessler continually inserts himself in ways that actually detract from his subject. Wish he would have spend less time navel-gazing and more time framing questions Paul Williams's fans would love to see answered! However, I was deeply affected by PW's work as Kessler sincerely was and am glad he made the film. He did provide an update on Williams and capture him as the lovable, sensitive, down-to-earth guy we always felt he was.… Expand

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