Despite her anything-but-conventional subject, Scotts cradle-to-the-grave narrative is laid out like a pretty straightforward, traditional biography.
But its spiced up with liberal and well-curated clips from Ashbys remarkable filmography.
The two men had a loving, mentoring relationship.
Oscilloscope
Their letters back and forth provide some of the deepest insights and biggest laughs of the movie.
Ashbys streak of critical hits as a director in the 70s was, and still is, jaw-dropping.
But it would have been nice to have heard more from him.
He was part dashiki, part Molotov cocktail.
He bucked hard against producers and studio brass who made the mistake of asking him to compromise.
Ashby could be just as destructive in his personal life.
Surely, the studios cant be blamed for everything.
Still,Halgives us a lot to take in, whether youre an aficionado or new to Ashbys work.
Scott has done movie fans a real service.
Shes finally given an under-sung filmmaking giant his well-deserved close-up at long last.B+
