S Is for Stanley

Inspires gratitude (as after watching "Good 'Ol Frieda") that side-stories are thoughtfully captured, being told by those who can tell them best.

The movie is quite bland. You have this driver who talks about his experience with Stanley, but he's a driver so it mainly focuses on the chores he had to do for that day and not really who Stanley and what it was like on set with him. You mainly learn about the drivers life and personal affairs that are not interested because the movie doesn't give me a good reason to care about this guy.

If it's a documentary providing insights to the greatness of Kubrick's artistic achievements you are expecting; "S is for Stanley" has absolutely nothing to offer - other than disappointment.

However, as a frogs eye view and insight into one of the unselfish contributions and sacrifices made by the many for the few - this is a delicacy.

Concept and execution are flawless. This is a gem of a documentary - heartfelt and relevant. Apart from providing an excellent insight into the day-to-day "pieces of ordinary" that, in the right hands, sum up to genius - Infascelli manages to, subtly convey the passing of time, the tic-tock, that to an extent catches us all off guard.

Giving this a poor rating for diverging from topic is understandable, but not enjoying it for what it is would be a mistake.

It's not a film about film making but a personal account of a 30 year friendship that developed between Kubrick and his chauffeur. Emilio's role went from driver to personal assistant during the span of their relationship. It gives insight into the person that was Stanley Kubrick, not the filmmaker. It was years before Emilio saw any of Kubrick's films. His favorite? Spartacus, the least "Kubrick" film of all. 😂. Still their friendship and long association is heart warming. I value this most because I like knowing what Kubrick was like as a man as well as an artist.

S is for Stanley is another entry point to the enigma that was Kubrick. Included w/other docs as Boxes & even Room 237, we get another sideways glimpse into the uncontrollable mind of probably the best filmmaker ever. That he comes off as a mere human is a testament to the efforts of his driver & loyal aide Emilio who put up w/what probably any other person would deem unacceptable in this day & age.