‘The Last Movie Stars’ Review: The Complicated Story of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

Newman and Woodward’s children, and from Newman’s first marriage, have a strong presence, especially in later episodes, but the most brutal, insightful, and often hilarious commentary is on two themes, especially Woodward. It comes from a vintage quote. (One of the few former interviewees still alive, she was found to have Alzheimer’s disease in 2007, a year before Newman died.) She was with her for a long time. And it was never a secret that she was a better actor than her. She was a much more famous husband and her career became a solar eclipse when she took on most of the burden of caring for her children. But in her own words, it is still calm to hear how clearly she sees the disparities and how deeply she feels them.

Hawk and his editor, Barry Portermann, elegantly weave a variety of materials. Most of the old interview readings are played on film clips, with the sound mixed so that the interview and movie voices alternate in and out.

With so many movies to choose from, Hawk can most often correlate clips with what is being said about the lives of Newman and Woodward. While listening to Newman’s first wife, Jackie McDonald (Kazan’s voice), talking about being replaced by Woodward, Woodward played “loneliness” as a wife abandoned by Newman’s character. I can see the scene of “Relationship”, but I can’t hear it. .. (The good feeling of casting: When Robert Altman was quoted about “Buffalo Bill and the Indians,” he was approached by Native American director Sterlin Harjo.)

Hawk asks, “How was it to be them?” The answer you could take away is that it was as difficult, frightening, happy and adventurous as we were, with the volume turned up. The glorious difference has nothing to do with fame or achievement, but with passion. Through tragedy, unfaithfulness, drunkenness, and professional jealousy, Newman and Woodward have been obsessed with each other for over 50 years. You hear it in their words, and you see it very clearly whenever they are on the screen together.