Older Generation X\u2019ers might remember just how big Steve Martin was as a live performer, but anyone younger will primarily know him from films, perhaps even associating him with family-themed comedies, such as “Parenthood<\/strong><\/a>,\u201d \u201cFather of the Bride<\/strong>,<\/a>\u201d and \u201cCheaper by the Dozen<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d However, Neville vividly reminds us there was a time when a time when Martin was almost an experimental comedian, who deliberately tried to subvert the traditional set-up-punchline rhythm of his stand-up routines.
Judging from the tapes of his early performances Martin revisits for Neville\u2019s benefit, it is clear his audiences did not always \u201cget\u201d him. He had years of scuffling that \u201cSTEVE\u201d documents in detail. Yet, you can hear how his deliberately unconventional style blazed a trail for much of the comedy that followed. Ironically, Martin initially feared that \u201cSaturday Night Live<\/strong>\u201d might usurp his college market, but it turned out to be an important showcase for his talent.<\/p>\r\n
![\"Steve](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Steve1.png\")
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\u00a9Part 2. Steve Martin in “STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces,” premiering March 29, 2024 on Apple TV+.
Indeed, Neville\u2019s deep-dive into Martin\u2019s early stand-up provides an interesting perspective on his full career. While Martin is now considered an unusually \u201cintellectual\u201d comedian (having a reputation as a playwright and a collector of fine art), he rose to national fame as \u201cThe Jerk<\/strong>\u201d and one of the \u201cWild and Crazy Guys<\/strong>.\u201d
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As it happens, \u201cThe Jerk<\/strong>\u201d is the only film covered during \u201cThen<\/strong>.\u201d \u201cNow<\/strong>\u201d starts with Martin\u2019s recollections of \u201cPennies from Heaven<\/strong>,\u201d but it flopped hard, causing great concern for the star. Yet, it is a fitting start for the second \u201cpiece,\u201d which is much more concerned with Martin\u2019s struggles with depression and resolving his difficult relationship with his emotionally distant father.
Neville\u2019s coverage of Martin\u2019s acting career is spottier, by design. For more movie anecdotes, viewers should probably check out Martin\u2019s collection of reminiscences, \u201cNumber One is Walking,\u201d illustrated by Harry Bliss, whose \u201cNew Yorker\u201d-like caricatures are also featured in Neville\u2019s two-part film. Weirdly, Martin\u2019s acclaimed dramatic performance in David Mamet\u2019s \u201cThe Spanish Prisoner<\/strong>\u201d is overlooked entirely and fan-favorites like \u201cAll of Me<\/strong>,\u201d \u201cDead Men Don\u2019t Wear Plaid<\/strong>,\u201d and \u201cLittle Shop of Horrors<\/strong>\u201d are only seen in passing.
Yet, perhaps counter-intuitively, \u201cNow<\/strong>\u201d is also the funnier \u201cpiece,\u201d because it incorporates so many scenes of Martin riffing and kvetching with his long-time \u201camigo,\u201d Martin Short. Frankly, if Neville had simply filmed three hours Martin and Short bouncing potential jokes for their two-person shows off each other, Apple probably would have been just as happy to release the results.<\/h6>\r\n![\"Steve](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Steve4.png\")
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\u00a9Part 1. Steve Martin in “STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces,” premiering March 29, 2024 on Apple TV+.
Regardless, it is clear their sarcastic comedic rapport is built on the foundation of a genuine friendship. [Steve] Martin also gets a lot of laughs for his snarky, fourth-wall-breaking observations as a documentary subject, being filmed in what he considers mundane situations.
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Given the length of the two combined pieces, \u201cSTEVE! (martin)<\/strong>\u201d would not be practical for theatrical release. Martin and Short are the primary celebrity voices heard at any great length, with a little bit of Diane Keaton thrown in as a bonus\u2014but seriously, who else would you want? Not surprisingly, Martin\u2019s ex-wife Victoria Tennant is also absent, but he rather graciously takes most, or even all, of the blame for their divorce.
At one point, Martin explains how he concluded he would need to do at least forty movies to get five good ones. Depending on how you count, Martin\u2019s filmography has fifty some feature titles, out of which far more than five are quality, entertaining films. Watching Neville\u2019s profile will encourage many viewers to revisit many of them, which is arguably a solid indication of its success. Neville regularly prompts Martin to open up and discuss some painful topics, but he always maintains a healthy balance between the serious material and the funny business. Highly recommended for casual and die-hard fans alike, \u201cSTEVE! (martin)<\/strong>\u201d starts streaming Friday (3\/29) on Apple TV+<\/a>.
Grade: B+<\/h6>\r\nHere’s the trailer of series.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
<\/p>\r\nRegardless, it is clear their sarcastic comedic rapport is built on the foundation of a genuine friendship. [Steve] Martin also gets a lot of laughs for his snarky, fourth-wall-breaking observations as a documentary subject, being filmed in what he considers mundane situations.
<\/ins>
Given the length of the two combined pieces, \u201cSTEVE! (martin)<\/strong>\u201d would not be practical for theatrical release. Martin and Short are the primary celebrity voices heard at any great length, with a little bit of Diane Keaton thrown in as a bonus\u2014but seriously, who else would you want? Not surprisingly, Martin\u2019s ex-wife Victoria Tennant is also absent, but he rather graciously takes most, or even all, of the blame for their divorce.
At one point, Martin explains how he concluded he would need to do at least forty movies to get five good ones. Depending on how you count, Martin\u2019s filmography has fifty some feature titles, out of which far more than five are quality, entertaining films. Watching Neville\u2019s profile will encourage many viewers to revisit many of them, which is arguably a solid indication of its success. Neville regularly prompts Martin to open up and discuss some painful topics, but he always maintains a healthy balance between the serious material and the funny business. Highly recommended for casual and die-hard fans alike, \u201cSTEVE! (martin)<\/strong>\u201d starts streaming Friday (3\/29) on Apple TV+<\/a>.
Grade: B+<\/h6>\r\n
Here’s the trailer of series.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n