Here’s a treat – Paul Williams Still Alive, an affecting documentary about the songwriter, omnipresent in the 70s, but not now. Because Paul Williams’ life story follows the arc of every episode of VH1’s Behind the Music (hits the show biz big time, does too many drugs, career crashes and burns), this film could have been trite. Instead, it’s fresh and appealing, chiefly because filmmaker Stephen Kessler is such an unabashed fan boy who glories in following Williams around, uncovering tidbits like Williams love of eating squid.
The documentary’s other cornerstone is that Paul Williams himself – now twenty years sober – is a very appealing guy. Williams doesn’t dwell on the time when he was rich, famous and unhappy. He has an edge, and doesn’t suffer fools, but he lives in the moment and it’s fun to see a guy now so content in his skin.
Paul Williams Still Alive is available now on Video On Demand, including Amazon Instant Video.