Watch Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction

Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction is a 2012 documentary film that delves into the enigmatic life of the legendary actor, Harry Dean Stanton. Directed by Swiss filmmaker Sophie Huber, the film is a celebration of Stanton's life and career, offering a glimpse into the actor's thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences. The movie's title is suggestive of the approach that the filmmakers take in exploring Stanton's life. Rather than present a straightforward, chronological narrative, the filmmakers use a non-linear approach that blends together interviews, performances, and glimpses of the actor's personal life. The resulting film is a meditation on art, aging, and the complexity of human experience.

The film begins with a scene of Harry Dean Stanton singing "Nothing But The Whole Wide World" at one of the many bars around LA where he often performs. Accompanied by a guitar, Stanton's haunting voice fills the room as the camera captures the audience getting lost in the music. It sets the tone for the rest of the film, which is built around Stanton's music, his interviews, and scenes of everyday life in LA.

As the film progresses, we see Huber interviewing a number of artists, filmmakers, and friends who have worked with Stanton over the years. Wim Wenders, Martin Scorsese, Sam Shepard, and David Lynch are among those who offer their perspectives on the actor's life and work. Throughout these interviews, we get a sense of Stanton's vast body of work, which includes roles in some of the most iconic films of the past 50 years.

Through these interviews, we also get a glimpse into Stanton's creative process, how he approached acting, and what it was like to work with him on set. The interviews all hold a common thread of how Kind, Personable, and Enigmatic Stanton was. They are peppered with interesting and amusing anecdotes about the actor and his approach to work and life.

In addition to the interviews, the movie also includes intimate scenes of Harry Dean Stanton going about his everyday life in LA. Some of these scenes include Stanton at home cooking, walking his dog, or simply sitting in a park. Through these scenes, we see a different side of the actor, one that is contemplative and introspective. We see a man who is more than just an actor; he's a musician, a philosopher, and a deeply thoughtful human being.

One of the most powerful aspects of the film is how Huber uses Stanton's music to create a sense of intimacy between the actor and the audience. Throughout the film, we see Stanton playing guitar and singing a number of songs, including "Tennessee Whiskey" and "Blue Bayou." These performances are deeply personal and moving, and they offer a glimpse into the actor's soul.

Overall, Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction is an intimate and powerful portrait of a legendary actor. The film is a meditation on art, aging, and the complexity of human experience. Through interviews, performances, and glimpses into the actor's personal life, the filmmakers take us on a journey into the mind of one of the most enigmatic figures in Hollywood history. This movie is a must-watch for fans of Harry Dean Stanton, and for anyone who is interested in exploring the nuances of the human experience.

Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 75.