Auto Focus DVD Review
Posted by Jacob Ziegler on 09.13.2003
One of the more under-appreciated films of 2002 features two fine actors at the very top of their game…
Auto Focus DVD Review
The Film
“I don’t know about you guys, but I got things to hide,” said Hogan of TV’s “Hogan’s Heroes.” If only everyone knew at the time how true that statement was for the actor playing Hogan, the enigmatic Bob Crane. A certifiable sex addict, Crane saw his life unfortunately descend, as he was unable to control his addictions and obsessions.
This is the subject of the latest film by Paul Schrader, famous for writing “Taxi Driver” and “Bringing out the Dead” for Martin Scorsese. The wildly talented Greg Kinnear plays the lead role, and this is clearly the best work of his career (seconded by “As Good As It Gets”). The film begins at the beginning of Crane’s career, as he is a radio DJ in California. He likes his job and he is good at it, but he really wants to be an actor. His wife (Rita Wilson) is supportive of him, and his children are perfect little angels. They live in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. Things could not be any nicer for the Crane family.
Then Crane gets the break of his career, offered the title role on a TV show called “Hogan’s Heroes.” Crane is unsure, as the show is a comedy set in a Nazi concentration camp. His wife is also unsure, telling him that she will not stand idly by as he wrecks his career. Then she reads the script, and thinks it is good, so Crane takes the part, and television history is made.
It is at this point in his life that things begin to go astray for the Crane family. Bob’s wife has already found pornography stashed about the house, but nothing has ever come of it. Bob defends it by saying it is because of his love of photography. But when he starts working on “Heroes,” the nights become later, and the temptations greater. Things get even worse when he meets John Carpenter, played by one of the finest working actors, Willem Dafoe. Carpenter invites Bob to come to strip clubs with them, and Bob is allowed to drum in the bands. Everyone has a good time, and then Bob goes home to his wife.
Eventually, he stops going home. He starts having sex with basically every woman he sees. He starts drinking heavily. Even worse, Carpenter works for Sony, and has access to all the latest technologies, like the first primitive video cameras. They use these cameras, as well as their still cameras, to take pictures of themselves with more women than one can imagine.
But of course, the fun times cannot last. “Heroes” goes off the air. Bob struggles to find work. His agent tells him that he needs to clean up his act, or at least try to keep it a secret. Bob’s defense is to “tell them that sex is normal. I’m normal.” It sounds more like he is trying to convince himself rather than his agent. It was hard to watch this movie, just knowing that Bob Crane’s life was about to enter a downward spiral, and it was truly painful to see. His relationship with Carpenter becomes the only real one in his life, and that is not saying much. The homoerotic undertones are extremely prevalent, and Kinnear and Dafoe are not afraid to play the roles, but do not overdo it either. The subtleties and nuances of both men are played perfectly. It is among the best work either man has ever done.
Everything else about the movie is technically superb. Schrader changes his cinematography styles and color schemes to reflect Crane’s life as the story moves along, and the editing and score accompany Crane’s life expertly. “Auto Focus” was one of the best movies of 2002.
The Video
Presented in digitally mastered high definition video and widescreen, “Auto Focus” looks great. Some of the scenes are grainy or washed-out, but it is the intention of Schrader to make them look that way. The colors are vibrant in the beginning, and darken as Crane’s life becomes darker. It is a wonderfully photographed movie, and the DVD captures the essence of the film well.
The Audio
The audio is also digitally mastered, and presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital. “Auto Focus” is a dialogue heavy movie, and the sound comes through clean and clear. Several montages appear, and the sound never falters.
Extra Features
“Auto Focus” presents three commentaries, by Director Paul Schrader; Actors Greg Kinnear and Willem Dafoe; and Producers Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski & Writer Michael Gerbosi.
The best feature is the “Murder in Scottsdale” documentary, which details Crane’s murder and the subsequent (poor) investigation. It is very creepy and interesting, and interviews all the key players. Strangest part is how much Crane’s son looks like Kinnear. Crane’s murderer has never been found, but most believe it to be John Carpenter.
A Making-of Featurette is also on the DVD, and it is a fairly standard feature, nothing too exciting, but worth the time watching it.
Five deleted scenes with optional director commentary appear as well. The scenes are all good, but as usual, I could see why they were cut.
The last feature is trailers for “Auto Focus” (both the “green screen” and “red screen” versions), “Blind Spot: Hitler’s Private Secretary,” “Love Liza,” “The Man From Elysian Fields,” “Pollock,” “Spider,” and “Talk to Her.”
The DVD also features a Weblink, animated menus (which fit the spirit of the film), and scene selections.
The Film: 9.0
The Video: 9.0
The Audio: 9.0
Special Features: 8.5
The 411: “Auto Focus” is a fantastic movie, and the DVD presentation is almost as good. An awesome movie with good features is always a winner in my book. It is a shame that not many people saw this movie. Kinnear’s performance might shock those that only know his compassionate painter in “As Good As It Gets,” but Dafoe’s shouldn’t shock anyone that has ever seen him in a movie before. Writer Michael Gerbosi and director Paul Schrader crafted a thoughtful, moving film.
