Buzz

I found Buzz to be an insightful look into one man's struggle to find not only meaning, but recognition of his identity. Given his reputation as a writer, I applaud Buzz for his honesty. Good film.

Buzz is an engrossing, psychological study of a public figure wrestling with his obsessions and the impact they have on his personal life. The intimate access to Bissinger and his wife and his bare confessions expose the internal conflict of one who genuinely does not fit a mold in society and the weight that misfit status has on one's psyche. Director Andrew Shea has painted a rich portrait of his subject Buzz.

Gave this title a look just because it was on HBO -- and knew little more than that it was about the writer of the Friday Night Lights novel -- that the movie and subsequent TV series was based on. Was completely engaged right from the start by Buzz who seemed like a larger-than-life character and it wasn't until maybe 1/3 of the way in that it took a turn into Buzz's secret lifestyle and the struggles it has made him endure. The other main character besides Buzz's conflicted spouse was none other than Caitlyn Jenner; whose biography Buzz just got finished co-authoring -- and the portrayal of Jenner definitely caught us off-guard; in that she was sympathetic and a POV worth hearing. Though the film concentrated increasingly on Buzz's hidden life; it only occasionally felt uncomfortable and certainly never gratuitous or sensationalistic -- two traps it would have been so easy to fall into; more than anything a tribute to the engaging direction and production of the piece. Worth an hour and a half of your time for sure.

Enjoyed the film thoroughly. The subject matter is timely, yet Buzz's age points to the universal qualities of being human. Where does one fit?

Buzz's bona fide success and competency line up nicely with his 'alter' self. Intriguing and intimate portrait. For me, fun.

Buzz Bissinger is a captivating character with real human struggles. This film is an enlightening look into the broad spectrum of human sexuality. It wrestles with the complex ideas of living one's true sexual self while retaining the security and deep love of a traditional marriage. It's not clear if Buzz has figured it out, but the film nonetheless leaves you hopeful that this man is smart enough to get it right.

The fact that the backdrop of this film is Buzz's collaboration with Caitlyn Jenner gives us a powerful touchstone for his own struggle with identity, while also framing his path in the larger context of how far we've come in understanding gender and sexuality as a society.