Sr. is a touching film that is an inspirational story that a father has made in honor of his late father. The film explores Robert Downey Sr.’s rich history and filmmaking passion and how it carried on and influenced their son, Robert Downey Jr.
Both father and son have this irreverent sense of humor that has also carried through to Downey Jr.’s son. There is a playfulness in this film that you can see almost mimics the filmmaking style of Downey Sr. You can’t help but enjoy this entire film as a thank-you letter from a son to an elderly father.
Sr. explores the filmmaking processes that made Robert Downey Sr. a household name in the 1960s and 1970s. There is a level of eccentric storytelling reminiscent of Jaques Tati crossed with John Waters. Slightly Avant Grade but very much something that is designed to push boundaries. Downey Sr.’s filmmaking early on enjoyed pushing the envelope, and this was all before Hollywood came knocking when his career took off.
His adventure into Hollywood filmmaking Robert Downey Sr. started to include his son Robert Downey Jr. in several of his projects, which, as we all know, gave him a break into the industry that helped define his career. This movie, made by Downey Jr., is more of a love letter to his father, who helped him in many ways throughout his life.
Chris Smith has directed a film that defines the relationship between a father and son, who has a wicked sense of humor, a creative flair, and a perspective on the world that is not like everyone else. The film outlines how both father and son adore the creative process of filmmaking and how much they have rubbed off and influenced each other along their journey.
The relationship between a father and son is often quite tricky. Don’t get me wrong, there have been challenging periods in both Robert Downey Sr. and Robert Downey Jr.’s life, and both individuals openly discuss these difficult periods. But what comes out of these frank and raw discussions is the love and respect both people had for each other, which is why this film is even more unique. It highlights the strong bond both these both have forged.
Sr. premiered at several high-end film festivals in 2022 and gained much recognition for the genuine realness this film brings to the screen. Only sometimes do you get to see a project about a family dynamic with an extensive history in the filmmaking business.
If you want to watch a film that reminds you why good storytelling is essential, then I cannot recommend Sr. enough. This is a remarkable documentary that beautifully explores the relationship between a father and son later in life, and what is so enjoyable is the cheeky sense of humor, frankness about the dynamics of the relationship, and simply the respect and love both Sr. and Jr. have for each other that carried well beyond the filmmaking business.
Sr. is currently available to stream on Netflix.
