Most of film is done like a reality show complete with talking head video diaries and manufactured conflict. The obvious setups include crew members quitting in disgust, doors getting slammed in Ruth Anson’s face, and a therapy session for Anson. There is even a bizarre intervention in which Anson’s “friends and family” try to convince her to save some dignity and drop out of the project. That may have been good advice if it wasn’t clear that Anson was in on the whole thing.
An interesting aspect about Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney is that, despite the staging, there are a couple of situations that must be real because there would have been no way to fake them. The most notable is the production’s attempt to track down McCartney at the Grammys. In a Bowfinger-esque move, the crew attempts to capture whatever they can despite their lack of invitations to the event. Anson shouts to anyone walking by that McCartney once proposed to her. The segment is a reminder of what this movie could have and should have been — a realistic look at Anson’s willingness to do anything to reconnect with McCartney.
The most honest moment in the entire film comes from adult film star, Ron Jeremy. I would like to say Mr. Jeremy’s cameo was a surprise, but his name appears in the opening credits of the film. Mr. Jeremy, in what may have actually been an unplanned event, shows up in the background of the Grammy footage. “Is that Ron Jeremy?” says a surprised Mark Cushman. “He was saying hello to me,” the cameraman explains. Unfortunately the cameraman does not elaborate on how he happens to know Ron Jeremy.
For no other reason than to gain a little “star” power in the film, Cushman sends Anson to interview Mr. Jeremy. Anson, of course, wastes no time in telling Jeremy about McCartney’s “proposal,” and wonders what her next step should be. “Give up!” says Jeremy. “He didn’t [propose] and if you think he did, you're a fruit loop.” Anson actually isn’t a “fruit loop.” Like a lot of us, she is looking to reclaim a bit of her youth. If this film had been about that, it could have been good. In this case the filmmakers obviously didn’t trust their material, manipulating everything until almost every ounce of reality was drained out.
Article comments
1 - Ruth Anson
I wasn't "in on the whole thing."
I'm Ruth Anson, the former KABC-TV reporter who interviewed Paul McCartney in 1965, and the subject of "Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney."
Our distributor may have done us a disservice by printing on the DVD cover that we won the "Audience Favorite" Award for Best Picture at Mockfest 2008. Doing this labels the movie as a mockumentary, even though it really is not. It is a documentary with a sense of humor.
You are correct that some aspects of the movie have been manipulated. Yes, the director did put me through the ringer. It is also true that the director did think I was a little crazy. He may still think this. I assume that every person who sees this movie will have their own opinion there, as you do. But nothing was faked. The psychology session is one such example. This was very real - and profoundly valuable for me. It was actually an hour and a half long, but, as you know, you can't put everything in. News is edited and therefore manipulated everyday. Most things are not what they seem and, unless you do your homework, you won't know the true facts.
You were also right that the director lost some faith in the project - but he does this on screen. He allows you to see him lose faith, and this is all very real. I think it was brave - and certainly unusual - that he allowed himself and his crew to be filmed so that viewers could see what goes on behind closed doors of reality type productions. He knew he wouldn't be seen in a positive light, but stayed honest with the camera.
I was open to all aspects of this journey and, even though my initial intention was to reconnect with Paul McCartney, I ended up discovering something very real about myself.
Whether you like the movie or not, at least let me set the record straight by telling you that this is a documentary. How the journey began, progresses, and ends is very real.
Truly yours, Ruth Anson.
2 - The Other Chad
Being a diehard Paul McCartney fan, I watched this documentary. With all due respect to Mrs. Anson, I think it is quite obvious that the "crew" members on camera are acting, as well as the "director". All one needs to do is consult the film's credits (you'll have to check somewhere other than the DVD itself, as this review points out - they are unreadable). The people are actors, not production assistants and so forth.
3 - Marc Cushman
Ruth Anson sent me the link to this site so I could check out a very negative review. She must hate me.
Then I saw the note she posted and the reply from “The Other Chad.”
I won’t debate anyone’s opinion on this movie, but, to set the record straight, I chose to list everyone who is seen in “Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney” as cast members because, whether they liked it or not, they became cast members. That does not necessarily make them actors.
Do a search at Internet Movie Data Base (imdb.com). I don’t expect you will find acting credits for any of us prior to this movie, except for Ruth, who, besides doing the news way back when, appeared in episodes of “The Brady Bunch” and “My Three Sons.”
It was certainly not my desire to be on camera - especially since I knew I would be coming off as a bit of an ass. The production just went that way (see the movie and you’ll understand). I can tell you that Susan Osborn, our Production Coordinator, was not thrilled about being on camera - even though she is delightful. Even I have to admit that those cutting looks she gives me behind my back are priceless. And she still gives them to me.
As for the psychologist, he truly is a psychologist - and a very good one - not an actor. Ruth’s family are who they say they are, not actors. The Paul McCartney impersonator is just that, not an actor. And that gay fashion expert wasn’t putting on anything for the camera. That’s him.
That wonderful older woman - Alice - seems very comfortable on camera, and very outrageous. I told her I thought she could become the next “Where’s the beef” woman and should get an agent. She won’t. She wouldn’t even watch the movie we did. She’s afraid she’ll be embarrassed.
The shrink session is real, those tears at the intervention are real, and we really did crash the Grammys. And Ron Jeremy was not a plant. He spotted one of my cameramen, who, apparently, has photographed Ron in the past ... in the buff.
I do not deny that I manipulated portions of this movie. You see me doing it on screen. This is, after all, a movie within a movie. But the one thing I was never able to manipulate was Ruth. To the contrary, I have a suspicion that she may have been manipulating me.
Marc Cushman
Director, “Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney.”
4 - Sherry
I appreciate everyone's comments on this movie. It is an honor to get a comment from the director and the subject of this movie.
I would just like to say that this movie won best picutre at Mockfest 2008 a mockumentary film festival. That makes it hard to take it as an actual documentary.
Also found in the link above is a comment from Mark Bruder, president of BRI - the distributor of this DVD -
"As the distributor of “Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney” BRI is very excited and proud to be releasing the US DVD retail rights through MVD.
We here at BRI believe that this is a new style of presenting a rock-reality-mocumentary with the most interesting subject matter…a love afair or psychotic affair with a Beatle. And, you are correct, the Cushman charictor [sic] is a typical Hollywood user, selfish ass…but Marc Cushman is a generous, supportive and caring man in real life. Buy the DVD and support your pay-per-view.
Thanks,
Marc Bruder
President
BRI"
He refers to the director, Mark Cushman, as character - so how is the viewer supposed to know who is being themselves and who is putting on an act?
For the record, I do say the appearance of Ron Jeremy is not staged, but just happened. I also did not say the Paul McCartney impersonator is an actor.
5 - April Anson Dammann
I have been close to the "Desperately" production since its inception, as my son Joe Dammann appears in the movie as Ruth's nephew (who he is)in an honest portrayal of his concern for his obsessed aunt. I find the reviewers to be paying inordinate attention to the story's genre--and not enough to the entertainment value of the piece. It is funny, surprising, poignant, musical and yes, even hard to believe, at times. But worrying about which scenes were set up or manipulated ignores the real emotions which are on display throughout Ruth's wacky journey.
Enjoy "Desperately Seeking Paul" without all the scrutiny about what is "mock" and what is "doc." By any name, it's a hoot.
- Ruth's sister, April
6 - Diane Selwyn
Everything I'd read about this film before (press releases, articles, etc.) left me with the impression it was a fictional story, that there never even was a "Ruth" who did an interview w/Paul; I assumed the clip was faked for the movie. April's comment about to not consider what is "mock" and what is "doc" is ludicrous, at least if you're truly interested in film. Of we want to know if what we're seeing is a real story or not; it makes a difference in how you evaluate the film. I must admit the idea sounded silly to me, and the only people I've found who say anything positive about the film are those who worked on it! Thanks for this review, I won't waste my time watching it.
7 - The Other Chad
I agree with what Diane said about wanting to know what is "mock" and what is "doc." This movie is either a mockumentary or a documentary. It seems that those involved in the production would have us believe it is a documentary. Anyone - even those viewers not accustomed to watching documentaries - should be able to easily tell this is not "real life" we're watching. Just because the various people in the film are not actors does not mean that they are not acting. So much of the movie is just so obviously staged - like the phone calls the PA makes to set up the intervention. She ends up calling Ruth's husband by mistake. Yeah right. I'm not saying that would be impossible - I'm saying that the way it happens in the film is about as unbelievable as it gets.
Ruth Anson would have made an interesting subject for a documentary, I believe. But we would have to be allowed to get to know her as a person - where she's been, what she's done, what drives her, etc. What we end up with is someone's idea of comedy.
8 - Ginny Thurler
Ruth -- I can't believe that you were not making your documentary into a mockumentary. You may have been a Paul fan, but you exagerated it. Putting your photograph over someone else's face in several different pictures in your scrap book? As a diehard Paul fan myself, You lost me there.
9 - Allen S. Dohner
I can still remember Ruth from the mid-60's in Los Angeles. It was sad not to see her continue as a reporter and/or news anchor. This looks like a great concept and I'll have to look for the DVD in Phoenix. I have my own regrets about not marrying a famous actress.