Watch Becoming Cary Grant

Becoming Cary Grant is a feature-length documentary film that tells the story of how the iconic actor, born as Archibald Leach, transformed himself from a working-class boy from Bristol, England, into the charismatic and sophisticated leading man of Hollywood's golden era. Directed by Mark Kidel, the movie combines footage and photographs from Cary Grant's life, interviews with his friends, family members, and colleagues, and excerpts from archive materials such as home movies, letters, and diaries, to paint a vivid picture of the actor's complex and fascinating persona.

The film is structured around a recording of an autobiographical interview that Cary Grant gave to a journalist in the 1960s, which serves as a basis for the narrative. Through this interview, the audience is taken on a journey through Grant's life, from his childhood as a lonely boy with an absent mother and an alcoholic father, to his early years in the theater in England, and his arrival in Hollywood in the 1930s.

Throughout the film, we see how Cary Grant carefully constructed his public image as a suave and charming man, tailored to the expectations of the movie-going audience. However, the movie also reveals the "real" Cary Grant, a man who struggled with personal demons such as his failed marriages, depression, and a traumatic experience with LSD therapy.

What makes Becoming Cary Grant a unique and compelling documentary is the way in which it dissects the notion of identity and the creation of self. The movie shows how Cary Grant used his acting skills, his wit, and his charm to become the man he wanted to be, while also recognizing that his persona was not a complete reflection of his true self. The film explores Grant's personal and artistic evolution and provides an insight into the complexities of fame and celebrity.

The documentary also features interviews with notable figures from Grant's life, including his daughter, Jennifer Grant, and his wives, Barbara Harris, and Betsy Drake. We hear from his friends and colleagues, such as Martin Scorsese, who discusses Grant's influence on his career, and his co-stars such as Deborah Kerr, who shares her memories of working with him.

In addition, the movie includes some charming and revealing moments that showcase the affable and spontaneous side of Cary Grant, such as his impromptu singing with Frank Sinatra at a party or his improvisations on set that contributed to making some of his most memorable films.

Overall, Becoming Cary Grant is a must-watch for those who are interested in the history of Hollywood, the art of acting, or the complexities of identity. It is a beautifully crafted film, with splendid editing and a dynamic score that captures the essence of the golden era of cinema. The movie provides a fascinating insight into the life and persona of one of the most enduring icons of the silver screen, and it does justice to the man who transformed himself into the epitome of cool.

Becoming Cary Grant is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.