A comprehensive two-part documentary on Apple TV+, “Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces,” delves into the multifaceted persona of comedy legend Steve Martin.
A Candid Revelation
In this revealing documentary, Steve Martin provides insights into his life and career, shedding light on his private world and inner workings like never before.
Directed by Morgan Neville, known for acclaimed works such as “20 Feet From Stardom” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” the film takes an unconventional approach to storytelling.
Deconstructing the Icon
Rather than following a traditional narrative, the documentary serves as a deconstruction of the documentary-making process itself.
Martin’s introspective commentary offers a glimpse into his meticulous nature and his desire to dissect and understand the essence of every aspect of his life. He was the type of man obsessed with getting things “right”.
Then
The first part, titled “Then,” focuses on Martin’s rise to fame during the 1970s comedy scene. It explores his humble beginnings as a Disneyland employee to becoming a cultural icon known for his signature “wild and crazy guy” persona.
Martin was a star during the 70s he was a fixture on Saturday Nighty Live, every comedy show he did would sell-out, and he had the first comedy album ever to go platinum. But before he actually rose to the celebrity status we all know him by, he started off as an anxious kid filled with self-doubt.
He described himself as someone who isn’t talented (which we all know by now is not true) – someone who can’t dance or sing but what he did have was, as he said: “a love for show businesses” which gave way for his absurdist stand-up style that felt groundbreaking as it was during a time where everyone focused on the political side of telling jokes.
His stand-up didn’t exactly go super well from the get-go and he was actually thinking of teaching Philosophy, and it wasn’t until he landed a job writing for the “Smother Brothers” show that he decided he would keep on performing.
Now
Martin, exhausted from the life of a touring stand-up artist went from on the stage to on the big screen. He saw movies as a medium that was a bit more permanent, and it was easier to get things “exactly” right.
In the second part, “Now,” the documentary shifts its focus to Martin’s transition from live performances to a successful career in movies. During this time he never fully shed his anxious nature as he recalls the time a journalist asked him a question that stayed with him even years later, and it was,
Why aren’t you funny anymore?
Though during that time it was reported that he cancelled all his press interviews after this, he later refuted that claim and said that
No! That’s just Wikipedia. Bad reviews hurt; they really hurt. But if I’m at a screening and I see the critic, I just go: ‘Hey! How you doing?’ Like you don’t know anything.
The director himself asked for the clip to be included in the documentary as a reminder that the world will judge people who are trying to be creative.
Now (at his 70s)
Martin, as he says, has completely mellowed out. He went from jobs like working in Disneyland, performing music as a bajo player, stand-up, magic, and has over 40 comedy movies.
He’s also committed to keeping parts of his private life private, even his daughter remains anonymous in the documentary with only a stick figure standing in for her.
He has now prioritized the things that matter to him the most and has let go of certain people and his competitiveness. He even let go of his inherent dislike of being in a documentary!
Steve Martin says,
I’ve morphed into a person who really appreciates the joy of telling jokes… As we age, we either become our best selves or our worst selves. I’ve seen people become their worst selves and I’ve seen people who were tough, difficult people early on become better selves.
Anyone interested in seeing more of Steve Martin, he is on a hit show called ‘Only Murders in the Building’. He is also currently on tour now with Martin Short, dates can be found HERE.
The Documentary is dropping today (March 29) on Apple TV+. And if you’re looking for more interesting comedians, step right in to Big Belly Comedy Club, where we’ve got great comedy shows lined-up for you 7 nights a week!
