700 SUNDAYS
US, 2014, 120 minutes, Colour.
Billy Crystal.
Directed by Des Mc Anuff.
Billy Crystal has been one of the most popular of American television and film stars. His television career ranges from Saturday Night Live to hosting the Oscars, as well as his beginnings in the television series Soap. And he has appeared in numerous films over many decades.
A native of New York City, educated at Long Beach, growing up in New York, later moving to Los Angeles for his film and television career. In 2001, after 9/11, he did a stage performance narrating the story of his life. He continued to do this and this is the film version of his live performance.
For Billy Crystal fans, there is no question. It is a highly entertaining narrative, Billy Crystal going back to his family home for so many decades, back to his childhood, stories of his father, his mother, brothers, the extended families, unusual uncles, strange neighbours, school hood friends. Crystal is an engaging personality, playing to the audience, playing to the camera, some have said flirting with the camera, enticing a genial response from the audience. (Some commentators, not so enthusiastic about Billy Crystal and his style have been highly critical of this relationship with the camera and the audience. however, fans have no difficulty.)
Crystal can certainly tell a story and does so throughout the film. He also has an extraordinary ability for mime, body language, an amazing talent with facial expressions. He can move from one pose to another with split second timing highlighting the drama or the comic impact.
There has been some criticism of his introduction of sexual references, body references and functions, some swearing, but this has been part of his life whether the audience appreciates it or not.
There is great deal of poignancy in his story, especially the way he tells the story of his father, the title of the performance referring to the time he had with his father, his business talent and the forming of Commodore services with his range of musical talent, the collapse of his business, his heart attack and sudden death, its impact on the young Billy at age 15, bewildered, feeling for years as if he was pushing a boulder through his life. Also strong descriptions of his mother, living with her, her support, going to work after her husband's death, her living on to 2001 when he was 53, his last phone call, his memories.
On the other hand, there is the revelation about his teenage sweetheart, Janice, and, at the time of performance, their 43 years of marriage, their two daughters, and then grandchildren. He praises her continued support of him, going to work, his minding the children, going out to comedy clubs during the night to get auditions.
At times, with his storytelling, his mime, his faces, his good timing, audiences will be laughing a great deal of the performance. And, it is mixed with the tragedy and the pathos.
For those who have not followed Billy Crystal in his career, this will be something of a revelation. And for his fans, an engaging two hours with the temptation to watch it again.
