"My Architect"
Documentary filmmaker Nathaniel Kahn pursues the truth about the life and work of his famous and notorious father, architect Louis Kahn, a man who cast aside the feelings of those close to him as he practiced his chosen craft. Kahn the younger examines the man, his relationships and his most famous works in "My Architect."
Comparison is inevitable for those who saw the charming and imaginative documentary, Lucia Small's "My Father the Genius," a heartfelt work that combines examination of her father, brilliant architect Glen Howard Small. This film and "My Architect" delve into the lives of visionary geniuses, masters of their profession but woefully inept in maintaining positive relationships with wives, lovers and children.
Nathaniel Kahn begins his examination of his father, Louis, many years after his death. Nathaniel has only recently admitted to his relationship with the famous, volatile architect whose creations span the world. Elder Kahn had a wife and daughter, it was known, but he also had two mistresses and a child apiece with them. In all cases, Louis placed his work first and his family a far distant second as he followed his artistic destiny and left the remains of his broken family relationships strewn behind.
Documaker Kahn travels the country and the world and gathers interviews with his mother and half sisters, his father's colleagues and disciples. He visits the far-flung places where his father's visions take concrete form, such as the enormous, awe-striking capital he designed for the impoverished nation of Bangladesh. Kahn also probes into the financial irresponsibility of Louis that matches his emotional immaturity.
"My Architect" is not the catharsis that Lucia Small achieves with "My Father, the Genius." Nathaniel Kahn's work is more detached and gives some insight into what made Louis Kahn tick but does not judge the man and his failings. This is a practical, straightforward work that delivers in its quest to make known the accomplishments, and failings, of a genius. I give it a B-.
For more Reeling reviews visit www.reelingreviews.com
robin@reelingreviews.com laura@reelingreviews.com
========== X-RAMR-ID: 36429 X-Language: en X-RT-ReviewID: 1223748 X-RT-TitleID: 1127321 X-RT-SourceID: 386 X-RT-AuthorID: 1488 X-RT-RatingText: B-
The review above was posted to the
rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup (de.rec.film.kritiken for German reviews).
The Internet Movie Database accepts no responsibility for the contents of the
review and has no editorial control. Unless stated otherwise, the copyright
belongs to the author.
Please direct comments/criticisms of the review to relevant newsgroups.
Broken URLs inthe reviews are the responsibility of the author.
The formatting of the review is likely to differ from the original due
to ASCII to HTML conversion.
Related links: index of all rec.arts.movies.reviews reviews