Customer Reviews

Bill Cunningham New York

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Prior to watching BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK, my unexamined assumptions about him - a Times fashion photog - were that he must be a man who spends his days and nights hanging around fabulous people and documenting all the fabulous things they do. In short, not typically my thing. However, after watching BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK, what emerges in this terrifically edited film is a deeply profound and beautiful study of a TOTAL artist working within the grayer than ever world of journalism. This is one of the most carefully and delicately plotted documentaries I've seen in some time and the ending of this film is ... devastating! Yet, even with the rather dark and sad turn that this film takes toward the end (you'll have to see it), you'll walk away from this doc feeling buoyed by the spirit and character of this remarkable and remarkably unusual man. This is a classic and he is a class act.

This is one of the warmest charming movies I have ever seen. Everyone that lives in a major city (and everyone else too for that matter) should see this movie. I love you Bill!

Bill Cunningham New York snuck up on me and made me feel so many things... First, If you love NYC this is a must see film. I had no idea who Bill Cunningham was, however his story changed my life. Bill's passion for fashion on the streets of NYC is the premise of the film. It will prompt you to find your passion and live it!! Can't wait till it is out on DVD. I will buy it the day it comes out and share with friends who didn't get a chance to see it in theatres.

I came across this doc film clicking around on Netflix streaming late one night. At first it seemed puzzling why anyone would make a documentary about an old guy who works for the New York Times riding a bicycle around and photographing street fashions. But I quickly got drawn into the film and understood how the filmakers had chosen this unusual man.

Bill Cunningham, now in his 80's, has worked for many years as a street photographer, riding precariously around Manhatten on his bicycle and snapping (film) photos of what people are wearing. In an age when there is so much corruption in all walks of life, what comes out in the film is Cunningham's unique sense of personal integrity. In a city obsessed with status, he seems to care nothing for status or celebrity or personalities; he is only interested in the clothes, the ideas. When he attends society and fashion functions in the evening, which he does almost every evening, he declines to accept food or drink; it would compromise his ethics. Indeed here is a man who has no apparent vices and minimal personal life. He lives frugally. He strives to be honest. He strives to do no harm. He cares little for his comfort. He has simply made a life of observing how people in New York express themselves through fashion; it is enough for him. "I have tried to play a straight game" he says about his life.

One might not be surprised to hear that a medieval monk or pure mathematician or a scholar of ancient languages had such an ascetic and, one may say, spiritually refined existence, but in the New York fashion world! And so he is a beloved fixture in New York. An inspiring documentary, which affirms how one can live in the everyday world and yet hold to an "impeccable path."

I saw this here in NYC and loved it. It was a wonderful portrayal of a special man. Highly recommended.

Prior to watching this documentary, I knew nothing of Bill Cunningham. All I can say now is, the time spent watching Bill Cunningham work...well, not really work, he's LIVING and enjoying every moment of it, was the best time I've spent getting to know someone in a very, very long time. Thank you, Bill Cunningham, for what you do and for touching us...inspiring us...with your honest, simple approach and way of life. Most of the time with the news in the headlines, I must admit that I'm embarrassed to be part of the human race...you make me proud to be part of it. Amazing eye, amazing man...great documentary!

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Nominated for a Spirit Award for Best Documentary, 'Bill Cunningham New York' is an entertaining and enjoyable film about a fascinating eccentric who no doubt belongs in the pantheon of all-time great NYC characters. 'Bill' initially worked as a fashion columnist but has now been at the NY Times for many years primarily as both a roving photographer and fashion maven/columnist.

'Bill' is now in his early eighties, and has been seen bicycling around the city for years. Director Richard Press found some footage at the NY Times, from over twenty years ago, which featured Cunningham talking about his work, and he hasn't changed a bit. Bill lived for years in a very small apartment above Carnegie Hall where he kept all his negatives and photos. There are some interviews with some of his neighbors and friends, extraordinary in their own right.

What's great about Bill is that he is full of energy and loves his work. His main thing is photographing people (mainly women) who are dressed in a way that impresses him. Bill only photographs those who he's drawn to--he appears to be an excellent critic when it comes to fashion. Even though he often covers big society events for the NY Times, he's never drawn to the cult of celebrity.

Despite his great talents, Bill is completely modest in his personal life. He hardly has any clothes and seems to delight in wearing the same windbreaker wherever he goes. He has no interest in food per se and basically indicates that he's asexual. Bill becomes emotional only when he discusses his devotion to his Roman Catholic faith (attending church every Sunday appears to provide him with an 'anchor' as otherwise, he is constantly 'on the run').

There is no doubt that Bill Cunningham is a beloved character. This is evidenced by the birthday party thrown for him by NY Times staff as well an award given to him in Paris as a man of letters. You'll also get a peek at how his columns at the Times are put together, with the able assistance of a production assistant.

You don't really have to be interested in fashion to appreciate Bill Cunningham New York. He is a one-of-a-kind, modern day Peter Pan.

I just saw Bill Cunningham New York this week for a little Christmas quiet time. All through the movie, I was thinking "wow, this is amazing." It truly is perfection in film, specifically documentary films, and is great at capturing Bill. I definitely recommend this movie to anyone!

I just saw "Bill Cunningham New York", a documentary movie about a person previously unknown to me, and what an exuberant work it is! The brilliance is in the editing, so that we gradually move from an outside perspective to a sense of what might be driving this extraordinary individual. A written description might give the impression that he is perhaps slightly autistic but, watching him interact, you realise he is a highly focused and driven person, with a good nature, joyful disposition and wonderful sense of ethics that is doubly wonderful because it is never imposed on others.
For me the two key take-outs were firstly, a celebration of New York and Paris, the two great cities that most embrace liberty. Thinking of my own hometown Melbourne Australia and its tut-tut brigade and rigorous policing, Bill could never pull this off here. I mean, you can't even ride a bicycle without a helmet. He'd have been arrested thousands of times for photographing, jay-walking or weaving in and out of traffic. And the people he films - those individuals who define "the edge" in all its glorious variety - again the movie enables us to develop a vivid sense of New York's vibrant imagination. Liberty - such a celebration!
The second point is perhaps more striking. This movie is much like the wonderful "Into The Wild" from a few years ago in that both chart a the true story of a man who completely forsakes the materialistic life and in the process achieves near-total freedom. The remarkable thing about Bill is that he manages to pull it off while living in the midst of a highly individualistic, hedonistic, materialistic environment. He is vigorously engaged with it but seemingly unaffected; he never seems to criticise, his photographs are invariably kind. And he takes "conflict of interest" to a whole new level; the movie undoubtedly will challenge the comfortable assumptions we all make. While "Into The Wild" charts a young man's journey into an unmaterialistic life, in "Bill Cunningham New York" he reached there many decades ago and we are left to wonder about his journey. What we do see is the daily existence of a highly productive, unmaterialistic and essentially free person, we see that it is real and possible.

4.7 stars

I knew nothing of BC before seeing this, and am now certainly a fan. I care little for fashion but I know a wonderful person when I see one, and it's a treat to hang out with Bill for these 85 minutes.

I had just watched the Joan Rivers doc before this, and what an incredible contrast in New Yorkers. Her total self-absorption and selfishness is the polar opposite to Bill's amazingly pure spirit. This guy could be loaded from selling his stuff, but instead lives an almost ascetic life in an apartment 95% full of his work, and fine work it is. He denigrates his photography technically, but he captures feelings as well as he does clothes, and his shots have real life and spark. The man is an artist.

And what a human being! I was most of all impressed by his riding a simple cruiser bike around Manhattan almost 24/7. They make it seem basic here, but man, that's no mean feat. Plus he eschews all the perqs of his lifestyle, the food and booze and all else that's right at his fingertips. The guy just loves to shoot quirky, strong, elegant clothes and people, and few do it better.

This is an absolutely delightful film, not only becasue we get to share Bill's daily delight in leading the life he's chosen, but for the reminder that the best and happiest lives certainly don't need to be "normal". Bill has no family (except everyone in New York, it seems) and has never had a lover, he reveals; his breakdown talking about religion is interesting, as he clearly he gets what he needs from his spiritual life, and more power to him. His joy speaks for itself.

All in all, a real treat and one of the most pleasant films I've seen in a long while. If only we all loved our lives like Bill Cunningham...what a wonderful world it would be!