Val

You infrequently see as honest a documentary as "Val," a life of Val Kilmer (Batman, Jim Morrison, et al.). In fact, because it is largely made up of his 40 years of self-videotaping, it has the feel of one of the most authentic autobiographies ever made. With his voice and his son, Jack's, it feels as if we are in his living room as they play the highlights of his glamorous career.

Although I was super pleased about Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain in its analysis of celebrity, Val crushes that doc with Kilmer's honest assessments of his life and his career without seemingly embellishing it or shaping it favorably. Bourdain's life has charm and a surface truth, but Val feels like Kilmer has let us into his soul for long enough to see a talented artist ceaselessly trying to interpret his chaotic world.

Although in his mature years he has suffered the loss of his voice from a procedure on his trachea for throat cancer, I can't find a word of bitterness that he has to stop his career and plug the hole in a voice box to talk, albeit scratchy and taking a while to get used to. He remains in his 60's searching the secrets of life, the best being honesty and love. Those are the two words to describe him and this doc.

For the more detail-desiring cinephiles less sentimental than I, this doc is full of off-camera insights: his longing to play Morrison and then his giving up his months' guitar practice to airplay the role, his confession that he couldn't act or move in that imprisoning Batman suit, his disappointment at the disastrous film The Island of Dr. Moreau and missing his chance to get close to his idol, Marlon Brando, his bonding as Iceman with Cruise, and so much more.

The footage of him arguing with director John Frankenheimer defines not so much Val's reputation for being difficult but rather his striving for perfection-A Juilliard grad, not a god.

Throughout this personal portrait of a star who fell from grace from bad choices (Willow, anyone?) and his own arrogance, Val Kilmer appreciates the gifts life has given him and its disappointments from which he becomes one of the most self-aware documentarians in his profession.

Val is a doc to be savored, and now that it is streaming on Prime, to be seen more than once. It's that good.

First, I am a Val Kilmer fan but had not expected to be as surprised and gratified as I am for this movie. Every actor gives a part of themselves to us as a gift, but the honest reflection and bravery to show the weaknesses which many people hide, makes this an amazing movie.

I am shocked at some of the comments on other reviews; saddened and disheartened that people can watch (even if they did) someone take off their mask and be real, then respond with vileness and cruelty. This was the first time I have ever had the privilege of seeing someone deal with life after fame and call themselves out on the fear and self doubt which can go with living in the light of yesterday. Showing the real struggles, exhaustion, and misunderstanding of a life that could have been stolen by cancer, instead rekindled into faith. Thank you Val for showing me a piece of humanity I will cherish. It is brave and made me a better person for the glimpse.

A friend of a friend was Val Kilmer's personal assistant back in the 90s. She loved working for him and had the nicest things to say about him. I was always a little skeptical, because of his reputation. But this film matches every great thing she said about him. Really lovely and thoughtful. I haven't seen anything like this in a long time.

Thank you to the Kilmer Family and ofcourse Val for showing your side of earth and life. Your story is true, raw, deep, sad and funny. Laughter and creativity celebrated, truth spoken. Life is a journey that can be observed and appreciated or forgotten so thank you. We are all imperfect but with love and god it can beautiful. Peace and love and the right balance for you and your family.

This is clearly an emotional project for Val, as he looks back on his life and his career. It provides such an unique and intimate insight into his life.