Buzz

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.

"Buzz" (2019 release; 90 min.) is a documentary about the life and times of best-selling writer Buzz Bissinger ("Friday Night Lights", among many others). As the movie opens, we are in "Malibu, California", where he is collaborating with Caitlyn Jenner on her upcoming memoir about her transitioning from Bruce to Caitlyn. We then go to "Long Beach Peninsula, WA", where Buzz is talking a walk with his wife Lisa Smith and their two dogs. Along the way Buzz admits that "I've got a darkness, I've done a lot of damage." At this point we're 10 min. Into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is written and directed by Andrew Shea ("Wrestling Alligators"), who seemingly spent YEARS following Bissinger around for this film. Let me admit upfront that while I knew Bissinger had written FNL, I knew absolutely nothing about the man. The first half of the film focuses mainly on the author's professional side (his books). The second half of the film shifts significantly more towards the author's personal side, including his interest in leather dressing and cross dressing, S&M, and other related darker topics. And how does his wife deal with this? Just watch! I found it all mildly amusing, and enjoyed watching it, although I don't think I'd watch it again (too much other stuff to watch!).

"Buzz" premiered on HBO in 2019, and somehow I had missed this, but I recently stumbled on it on HBO On Demand. Presumably it's also available on HBO Max, Amazon Instant Video and other streaming services. If you are curious about the man behind the book "Friday Night Lights", I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

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.

I meant to watch half and then go to bed, but really couldn't, it was too compelling, about Buzz Bissinger, Pulitzer Prize winning author, now also exploring the edges of his identity.

Some of my favorite moments were ones that might seem marginal, but I suspect weren't -- an interview with a Friday Night Lights ex-football-star, now in prison; the scene of Buzz teaching writing class -- great teacher! I also really liked the portrait of Lisa, his wife. I began to feel her as a moral centerpiece of the film, also very smart and engaging. There is also fascinating repartee between Caitlin Jenner and Buzz (writing a book about her); the almost "married couple" they became, and the creative process of writing a book.

Buzz is a bit of a mystery to me, maybe because I don't identify with his obsessions, and find them somewhat unappealing. But it's clearly part and parcel of his uniqueness and his brilliance as a reporter -- and I admire the honesty with which he (and Caitlyn) expose their authentic, and long hidden, selves to the world. Pretty amazing stuff to get on film.

I like that the film didn't seem to take any strong editorial point of view, but simply let the characters present themselves as they chose.

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.