For the uninitiated, this would probably merit 8 stars-- it's an agreeable enough introduction to Buster Keaton if you know nothing about the guy and it's presented in a modern, snappy style that isn't too academic. At 100 minutes, it does not outstay its welcome either.
However, as someone who's been a Keaton fanatic since 2010 and who counts him as her favorite filmmaker of all time, this documentary offered me nothing new. It's far less in-depth than the excellent Kevin Brownlow documentary from the 1980s (sadly kept out of print due to legal hang-ups) and has a weird structure, not bothering with looking at the feature films until after going over Keaton's entire life. It's fine and seeing Buster appreciated in any way always puts a smile on my face, but it's mostly treading water.
However, as someone who's been a Keaton fanatic since 2010 and who counts him as her favorite filmmaker of all time, this documentary offered me nothing new. It's far less in-depth than the excellent Kevin Brownlow documentary from the 1980s (sadly kept out of print due to legal hang-ups) and has a weird structure, not bothering with looking at the feature films until after going over Keaton's entire life. It's fine and seeing Buster appreciated in any way always puts a smile on my face, but it's mostly treading water.