THE TIMES OF BILL CUNNINGHAM – A Review by Cynthia Flores
If you love fashion and you like New York City, then you will enjoy this entertaining documentary on Bill Cunningham. He was a lively eighty-seven years old when he died in 2016. He was The New York Times style photographer for over forty years. His two pages of fashion in the Sunday paper, captured on and off the runways, is where everyone wanted to be seen.
The Times of Bill Cunningham is narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker, no stranger to fashion herself. The story of this shy guy who never considered himself a great photographer but rather a historian of fashion is told in Cunningham’s own words. A recently unearthed 1994 interview that was supposed to last just a few minutes to be used for an award he was receiving lasted instead of ten hours. In that time, the photographer chronicles, in his customarily cheerful and plainspoken manner, moonlighting as a milliner in France during the Korean War. He talks about his relationship with First Lady Jackie Kennedy, his time at The New York Times, and his democratic view of fashion and society. He would go out in all kinds of weather each day to capture and celebrate beauty wherever he found it.
The documentary would bore anyone that is not into fashion but is a real treat for those of us that make it part of our lives. It features incredible photographs chosen from over three million previously unpublicized images and documents from this iconic street photographer and noted fashion historian.
I give The Times of Bill Cunningham 4-stars. I know there is a sharply dressed audience out there just waiting to enjoy this film.
Directed by: Mark Bozek
Written by: Mark Bozek
Rated NR
Running Time: 1hr 14min
Documentary
Limited Release: March 6th The Angelika Film Center & Cafe – Dallas
Starring: Bill Cunningham, Sarah Jessica Parker
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
