Iris - 2014 - 5/10
Final movie of legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles proves a shallow disappointment.
The cameras trail after unlikely fashion icon, Iris Apfel, without getting at the essence of her, or how she achieved her position.
She and her husband have a home on Park Avenue, another in Palm Beach.
These are plainly ultra-rich. How did they accumulate such wealth?
(Note: Wiki indicates they ran a textile firm for 40 years. Commerce barely touched on in film.)
Her so-called taste, which favored clunky and garish beads is praised by all with not a single dissent.
When the husband casually mentions how difficult Jackie Kennedy was, Iris quickly closes the topic saying they are not allowed to discuss any of their work dealing with the White House.
(Wiki indicates the couple did White House restorations for Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Clinton.)
Nonetheless, Maysles let that slide. Indeed, much passed unquestioned.
Feel-good, surface skipper, of a 80 minute soufflé.
I ended up with a cynical suspicion that so many designer and curators praised and gushed over her because she was in her 90’s and they lusted after her collection.
Those of you who have a wacky grandma or auntie - - there but for fortune . . .
