TV-MA | 2 episodes | Documentary, Biography | 2024
With a title resembling the idiosyncratic syntax of an e.e. cummings poem, director Morgan Neville’s “STEVE! (Martin) a documentary in 2 Pieces” (“Steve”) runs longer (over three hours) than most films of this nature. Considering recent similar productions covering the complete lives and careers of Sidney Poitier and Mary Tyler Moore clocked in at less than two hours, dedicating 193 minutes to a guy who is still alive doesn’t quite jibe.
To be fair, Mr. Martin has achieved enormous success as a stand-up comedian, actor, novelist, playwright, and musician—only some of which are covered in detail in “Steve.”
‘Then’ Is Excellent
Divided into halves, the first part of “Steve” (“Then”) is easily the better of the two. Born in Texas, Mr. Martin was raised in California and his first job was selling guidebooks for Disneyland. This gig allowed him free entrance to the theme park, and he spent most of his free time at the Disney magic shop where he learned tricks of that trade, which would serve him well in his future stand-up act.By all that is presented, Mr. Martin grew up in a household that frowned on hugging or any other type of physical demonstration of affection. His father, Glenn, was a failed actor and real estate agent who, after seeing his son perform a well-received, sell-out stand-up concert in the late ‘70s, offered nothing but nitpicking negative feedback. This goes far in explaining future relationship issues Mr. Martin experienced.
Despite his Emmy-winning stint as a writer on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in the ‘60s, Mr. Martin’s early career as a stand-up comic was an unmitigated disaster. It was only after multiple appearances as the host of “Saturday Night Live” (16 times total) that Mr. Martin’s career took off.
‘Now’ Not So Much
The second half of “Steve” (“Now”) doesn’t begin with the start of Mr. Martin’s film career in the ‘80s, as it should have, but rather with him in the present day looking back on the last four-plus decades of ups and downs, both on professional and personal levels.While some of this content is enlightening, the autobiographical content of Mr. Martin’s stage play “WASP” in particular, was far too much and a frivolous waste of time, unless you consider finding out Mr. Martin’s opinions on poached eggs on toast to be interesting. There are at least three points in this segment where Mr. Martin audibly states: “I hope they edit this out” or something to that effect, and it’s easy to see why; no one really cares what Steve Martin eats for breakfast.
Mr. Neville’s biggest blunder and missed opportunity during this portion is the complete omission or avoidance of Mr. Martin’s musical career in the 21st century.
A lifelong banjo player, Mr. Martin incorporated the instrument into his stand-up act from the beginning, and in 2009, he released his first of six straight number-one Billboard bluegrass albums, and none of this amazing accomplishment is included in the film. This achievement alone is worthy of its own 90-minute documentary.
Mr. Neville’s summation of Mr. Martin’s career as a screen actor is also dodgy. While the well-received and commercially successful “The Jerk” and the critically acclaimed box-office bomb “Pennies From Heaven” get their appropriate due, most of Mr. Martin’s remaining 50-plus titles in his filmography are largely ignored.
I’m not a big fan of Mr. Martin’s output as an actor, mostly because he (or those representing him) frequently picked the wrong material. For every “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Roxanne,” “L.A. Story,” or “Parenthood,” he made five “Cheaper by the Dozen,” “Mixed Nuts,” or “Bowfinger.”
“Steve” is only half of a good movie. Mr. Neville had more than enough potent material from which to draw on and he blew it. Mr. Martin is certainly deserving of a bio-flick, but not one this bloated yet frustratingly incomplete and unrealized.
