Val (2021) is a fascinating watch, through and through. The Val Kilmer-centric documentary chronicles the actor's life story via self-taped home videos taken throughout his childhood and acting career during the filming of movies like Top Gun (1986) and Tombstone (1993), as well as recent recordings of Kilmer amid his recovery stage after his 2015 throat cancer surgery, which has left his voice significantly impaired. Consequently, this documentary is narrated by Kilmer's son Jack, reading his father's written words. The end result is an emotionally riveting movie that, while not a perfect film, has plenty of positives to take away from.
Directors Leo Scott and Ting Poo do a great job balancing out the archival footage with the present-day scenes of Kilmer going about his life. From signing autographs at fan conventions to going through his mother's belongings after her passing. They also do a fine job at highlighting Kilmer's observations about life's joys and hardships through the thematic and emotional approach to the film's editing that enhances the overall viewing experience. Kilmer receives credit for the movie's cinematography, which is much-deserved given the intimacy in capturing moments from days gone by. Some of the gems presented in this documentary include some of his late younger brother Wesley's delightful home movies, some footage from his early days training at Julliard, a behind-the-scenes look at the intensive research phase Kilmer underwent to prepare for his iconic performance as Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991), and some tense footage of the infamous production nightmare of The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), where Kilmer audibly clashes with the movie's replacement director, John Frankenheimer, who was hired to replace the original director Richard Stanley mid-production. Couple this with his wife delivering their divorce papers to the set adds to the tragic circumstances.
On the other hand, Val, at times, comes across as a puff piece given the level of input Kilmer has in this project. For one thing, the movie doesn't dive too deeply into certain points in Kilmer's acting career like his experience filming Batman Forever (1995) and simultaneous feud with director Joel Schumacher. The skimming over of this particular subject is rather disappointing given Schumacher's recollections of Kilmer acting difficult with him, and his subsequent refusal to return for the sequel, Batman & Robin (1997).
Overall, Val, as a self-reflection, is a bittersweet and often-times philosophical and emotionally profound portrait of a gifted actor and performer with some truly tragic flaws. Also, is it me, or do I now find it weird that Kilmer quotes an excerpt from a line stated by Jim Morrison from The Doors to describe himself? The quote in question reads, "I think of myself as a sensitive, intelligent human being, but with the soul of a clown." Has Val Kilmer become more like Jim Morrison, or did Jim Morrison become more like Val Kilmer? I guess that we will never truly know.
Final Score: 7 out of 10
Comments