Katie Walsh | Tribune News Service (TNS)
On Friday, March 29, a revealing two-part documentary about beloved comedian Steve Martin, directed by Oscar winning “20 Feet from Stardom” director Morgan Neville will be available for streaming on Apple TV+. “Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces,” is a truly unique documentary project, the two halves distinctly different but fitting together to create an illuminating portrait of Martin and his relationship to fame and creativity.
The first part “Then” traces his early life, from childhood, the beginning of his comedy career, his groundbreaking stand-up shows, and his rapid ascent to fame in the 1970s, becoming a pop culture sensation through his bestselling comedy albums, sold-out tours and many appearances hosting “Saturday Night Live.” The first part concludes with Martin’s move to a film career with “The Jerk,” and his first significant setback with the poorly received “Pennies from Heaven.”
The second part of the two-part film, titled “Now,” follows Martin in the present day, co-starring on the Hulu hit “Only Murders in the Building” with his longtime friend and collaborator Martin Short, living a private life with his wife and young daughter. In contrast to the chaotic frenzy of his life in the 1970s, Neville captures Martin in moments of quiet contentment, biking with Short through Santa Barbara, fixing easy meals on the road, and reflecting on his life. It’s a fascinating and riveting watch, in which the elusive star opens up like never before about the highs and lows of his personal life and career.
However, “Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces,” is an absorbing watch, it will likely make you want to revisit his filmography, especially the early titles from the late 1970s and ’80s on which the documentary focuses. So here’s a little primer of where to watch some of Steve Martin’s earliest films, as an accompaniment to the doc.
His breakout role was obviously in “The Jerk” (1979), which he wrote and Carl Reiner directed. Martin stars as a simple country boy who heads off for life in the big city. The film was a massive hit and cemented Martin as a star. Stream it on Showtime or rent it elsewhere. In 1982, Martin and Reiner reunited for the noir parody “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid”
The documentary also focuses on the 1981 flop “Pennies from Heaven,” a 1930s-style movie musical directed by Herbert Ross and co-starring Bernadette Peters and Christopher Walken. Martin in a sincere mode was not warmly received by critics and audiences, and the film explores how that failure was a deep wound for Martin. A fascinating object in his career history, rent “Pennies from Heaven” on all digital platforms.
Of course, there’s the iconic 1986 comedy “Three Amigos!,” which Martin wrote with Lorne Michaels and Randy Newman, directed by John Landis and co-starring Short and “SNL” star Chevy Chase. Stream it on AMC+, The Roku Channel, or rent it elsewhere.
Martin also wrote and starred in a few much-loved romantic comedies, like “Roxanne,” a 1987 version of Cyrano de Bergerac, and “L.A. Story,” the 1991 romantic comedy co-starring his future wife Victoria Tennant, Marilu Henner and Sarah Jessica Parker. Both movies can be rented on any digital platforms.
But while he was making these romantic comedies, he was also playing a popular movie father, in 1989’s “Parenthood,” directed by Ron Howard, leading an all-star cast including Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Jason Robards, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves and Joaquin Phoenix. You can watch it on Netflix. He also starred in the 1991 film “Father of the Bride” with Diane Keaton and Kimberly Williams-Paisley (plus Short and a small Kieran Culkin). Stream it on Disney+ or rent.
There are so many more wonderful Steve Martin movies, but the documentary will encourage you to revisit these early favorites in his career, so consider this the companion guide to “Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces” on Apple TV+.
(Katie Walsh is the Tribune News Service film critic and co-host of the “Miami Nice” podcast.)
©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
