Becoming Cary Grant

Released in 2017, Becoming Cary Grant is a captivating documentary that pays homage to one of Hollywood's most enduring and enigmatic icons, Cary Grant. The film, directed by Mark Kidel, visits the life of the illustrious actor, drawing parallels between his real-life persona, Archibald Leach, and the polished, suave Cary Grant that shone on the silver screen.

The documentary delves into Cary Grant's personal life, revealing details rarely seen or acknowledged by the general public, using an array of sources. In addition to detailing Grant's ride to stardom and his professional career, the film digs deeper, unveiling details about his personal hardships and how these influenced his legendary film roles. Though Cary Grant was known for his suave poise, beneath the veneer lie an individual battling inner turmoil, childhood traumas, and an unending desire for love and acceptance - themes that became an essential part of his metamorphosis into the esteemed actor the world came to admire.

Becoming Cary Grant utilizes inventive timely narrative methods to engage viewers. Pulling from the actor’s own words from unpublished memoirs, the film gives the audience a front-row seat to Grant's inner thoughts and sentiments as he recounts his journey, including tumultuous relationships, the elusiveness of happiness, and his struggle with identity. His narrative is expertly and empathetically intertwined with never-before-seen home footage along with clips from his most lauded films. A combination of a revealing biographical exploration and serious cinema study, there is a mesmerizing interplay between Grant's personal life and his roles—the characters he played often mirroring his off-screen life.

Director Mark Kidel brilliantly delivers a palpable sense of Grant's quest for peace and self-discovery, presenting an introspective take on the actor’s exploration of therapy and the role of LSD in retreat from his ibrakant persona. What we get is an intimate peek into the actor's inner world – a fascinating canvas of strength, fragility, and surprising complexity.

The making of Cary Grant - man into a myth, is also explored against the backdrop of Hollywood’s Golden Age, reflecting on its effects. In the glitz and glamor of Hollywood's Golden Age, this film shines a spotlight on the man behind the movie star image. The proverbial tale of rags to riches unfolds as Grant’s beginnings in Bristol, England as Archibald Leach, are recounted. This journey transitions into his eventual rise in Hollywood, where he morphed into the enviable Cary Grant.

Similarly, the film raises the curtains on Grant’s personal relations, particularly his romantic life and multiple marriages. It explores how the quest for perfect love may have stemmed from traumatic childhood memories. This reminiscence includes a discussion on the dramatic life of Dyan Cannon, Grant’s fourth wife, who was caught in the crosshairs of Hollywood's demanding lifestyle and Cary Grant's personal angst.

Featured prominently is the interaction between Cary Grant and other Hollywood legends, including Frank Sinatra. Sinatra’s appearances provide more context to Grant’s Hollywood life, providing more depth to the actor’s story.

Becoming Cary Grant effectively tempts us to ponder the boundaries of reality and illusion, eroding the barriers between the man and the character, Archibald Leach and Cary Grant. The documentary illuminates the unassuming man underneath the polished star, exploring the tension between creating a performance for an adoring public and yearning for personal authenticity.

With its profound storytelling, Becoming Cary Grant manages to cast new light on this often misunderstood and shadowed figure, unraveling an extra dimension of Cary Grant's persona. It is a compelling homage to one of the greatest stars of classic American cinema, revealing the vulnerabilities and emotional depth beneath the effortless charm we know as Cary Grant.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the charming Cary Grant or entirely new to his charisma, Becoming Cary Grant gives a rich, full-textured portrait of this Hollywood Icon that draws you in from start to finish. It's the exploration of a man's journey of self-discovery and acceptance both behind and before the camera. It inspires viewers to contemplate the nature of identity, the allure of fame, and the quest for genuine self-expression within the glittering façade of Hollywood.