Buy Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts

Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts

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From the liner notes

Scott Hicks' ambitious new documentary skillfully dissects the idiosyncratic minimalist composer, providing an evolving impression of Philip Glass from a dozen vantage points that are backed by comments and observations from colleagues, friends and loved ones.

Review

Director Scott Hicks zeroes in on the accessible, yet elusive Philip Glass in his compelling new documentary portrait of the idiosyncratic minimalist composer. Whether making a home-made vegan pizza from scratch or distracted by his work, Glass is a most engaging, companionable figure. Spending two hours with him as Hicks (Shine) looks over his shoulder and interrogates him about his life, his art, and his collaborators (including filmmakers such as Woody Allen and Godfrey Reggio) is akin to hanging out in an artists' commune. We feel privileged to be in the presence of such genius. During the course of the filming, the man is working on no less than three different music projects (including the score for Allen's recent Cassandra's Dream). Leveling things out are candid comments by Holly Glass, the composer's third wife, and the playful intrusions of their young children, who remind Glass — and, by extention, us — that art isn't all there is to life. Still, as inquisitive as Hicks is and as forthcoming as Glass is in his responses, parts of the composer's life and some of his relationships remain private. (One of his chief collaborators, Robert Wilson, and Glass' grown children from his first marriage remain intriguingly off-screen.) Hicks did his own cinematography and it is shimmering.

-- Joe Baltake