162. Laddie - The Man Behind The Movies; movie review

 

 

LADDIE - THE MAN BEHIND THE MOVIES

Cert 12

84 mins

BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language, suicide, moderate sex references, bloody images

Once upon a time in Hollywood, there were men with whom the buck literally stopped.

They were the producers who said whether a movie turned from a filmmaker's concept into big-screen reality.

But one of these go-to guys was different - he didn't seek the limelight in the way that others did.

Indeed, Alan Ladd Jr. was such a quiet, unassuming man that people had to strain an ear to hear what he was saying.

Despite that, he was the man responsible for the financing of Star Wars and going out on a limb for George Lucas nearly cost him his job.

His daughter Amanda Ladd-Jones presents this thorough tribute to her dad which is a clear labour of love but doesn't gloss over his hard times.

Yes, there is plenty of glitz and glamour in Hollywood but there are also dark corners and many of those could be found in Laddie's early life when he was in the shadow of his movie-star father.

It is even revealed that having the same name was a burden rather than a help to him.

Through interviews with Lucas, Ridley Scott, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Affleck, Ron Howard, Morgan Freeman, Mel Brooks, Richard Donner, and more, Ladd-Jones endeavours to better understand him.

She traces his life from his childhood, through being an agent for such stars as Robert Redford to being producer of Star Wars and other huge hits such as  Alien, Blade Runner, Chariots Of Fire, Police Academy, Braveheart, The Omen, Thelma and Louise, Young Frankenstein and Gone Baby Gone.

The tributes to him are overwhelming because, in a world where most attention is paid to those who shout loudest, he is known for intelligence, kindness, and faith in talent.

Meanwhile, his own contributions to the documentary are typically understated.

It is a fascinating watch for anyone who is into the history of films and the processes of how they are made.

And it has the added dimension of being an uplifting family story.

Reasons to watch: Fascinating look behind Hollywood's veil

Reasons to avoid: Probably glows a little too much

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None 

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? Alan Ladd jr. received the 2,348th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, September 28, 2007.

The final word. Amanda Ladd-Jones: "I made “Laddie” as a way of recognising my father because his uniquely quiet, self-effacing nature was the very reason his impact on modern cinema was virtually unknown outside of Hollywood. The film’s UK release is especially meaningful since, in many ways, this was where it all began. Though his career took off in Hollywood, it was his start in London that put him on that path."

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