David Foster: Off the Record

Apparently you are going to either love this film or hate it, according to reviews. I'm firmly in the love it camp. Yes, Foster is an imperfect man, but in no way does he try to conceal his faults. But, watching this film is as much about the man's talent as a producer and ability to recognize phenomenal talent in others as it is about his personal life. Just watching and listening to all the greats that he has helped over the years is worth the time to watch it. I certainly am glad I did.

I'm torn. Love his music, but this dude is a HOT MESS.

So I had to watch this on Netflix even though I had no idea who David Foster is because my name is also David Foster, Lol. Well, I found out that David Foster is a pretty big jerk who has hurt every woman he ever married and every child he ever had, yet because he's a big-time music producer, he has an enormous ego and seems to have never grown up. This piece was clearly a promotional piece that he had a hand in. He may not be credited as a producer on the project, but it's not hard to see that he was pulling the strings. Just a weird, congratulatory piece...

With the numerous icons he's worked with over 40 years, I really expected to get more of an idea of who this person is. Instead it was mostly him talking about himself.

It's too bad. Real missed opportunity here. A few glimpses of humanity (i.e. Katherine McPhee's thoughts about him and their relationship) overshadowed by ego. The attempt as a documentary was the best it could be considering the few participants outside of himself and his immediate family.

I would've much preferred a history of what he's done narrated by voiceover by someone else. At least then we would've learned or remembered what impact he's had on music as a whole, as well as his talent as a composer - it's a lot, but you'd never know it by watching this.

I give it a 4 for the deserved coverage, but it doesn't get more stars from me, because it should've at least made a dent in his musical accomplishments. Quincy Jones' documentary is SO much better both in terms of format and the human being.

The story of producer, arranger, musician david foster, born 1949, who has worked with so many great actors, singers, musicians. Nominated for three oscars, numerous emmies. Won the emmy for world children's day. Canadian rocker, had a rough start, but eventually made enough to support himself and his mother. Interesting story, mostly told by foster himself. He admits (and regrets) not being the best dad. Or best son. And probably not being easy to work with. But he does seem to have the genius to know how to build great music, and make it come alive. Interesting tale, with commentary by bill clinton. Quincy jones. Streisand. Directed by barry avrich. Written by andree bagosy. In the documentary section on netflix.