Thursday, September 8, 2011

Tabloid (2011)

Jack and I really liked the strange, sensational, funny, but true exploits of narcissistic ex-beauty queen Joyce McKinney obsessed with her former boyfriend Kirk Anderson, directed by noted documentarian Errol Morris. I don't think I need to give you any more details about the plot, the bulk of which takes place in the swinging 1970s. Fast-moving and full of laughs, with cartoons and other visuals when actual footage is unavailable, this is 87 minutes of pure entertainment. I'm sorry to say this was my first Errol Morris documentary, though I'm well aware of The Thin Blue Line (1987), Fast, Cheap and Out of Control (1997), The Fog of War (2003), and more.

The music is also wonderful, composed by John Kusiak. Go to the amazon page and click Play all samples. Rottentomatoes gives it 91% from critics and 81% from audiences. Too bad we didn't go to a screening in a bigger city, because apparently McKinney has been showing up to present "her side" of the story and complain (there are spoilers in this link--save it for after you've seen the movie). But, wherever you are, just see it. And don't rush out before the credits are over. There's a bonus at the end, which one other couple saw with us on Saturday, though the room was pretty full during the movie.

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