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SKETCHES OF FRANK GEHRY Send This Review to a Friend
Director Sydney Pollack and architect Frank Gehry are friends, and that adds warmth and ease to this documentary that is unusual terrain for Pollack, known for his fictional features. But he has done an intelligent, fascinating job in his first documentary that escorts us through the work and life of the amazing Gehry.
The architect's flamboyant work can be controversial but his achievements throughout the world stand as recognition of his importance. Gehry has a twinkle in his eye when talking about his ideas and his career. On the one hand he seems such an easygoing fellow. On the other he can be demanding as he executes his bold designs, as reflected, to cite one example, in his Bilbao Guggenheim Museum.
Honing in on how he begins with his sketches and models is interesting, and the results that come from these simple beginnings can be breathtaking. So can the flair with which he cements his initial ideas or rejects them. One learns much about the process while getting to know more about Gehry himself and what motivates or doesn’t motivate him. Pollack includes comments by a variety of those with something to say about the architect and his striking work. The film turns out to be unusual and educationally rewarding. A Sony Pictures Classics release.
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