Evocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie

Evocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie is a gripping 2012 documentary film featuring the controversial 1980s talk show host Morton Downey Jr., and featuring commentary from Glenn Beck and Victoria Jackson. The documentary goes beneath the surface to provide an unflinching and honest look at the life and times of the man who was often referred to as the 'father of trash television,' wielding unparalleled influence on the talk show industry and modern television programming.

The film puts into perspective the extraordinary career of Morton Downey Jr., who pioneered a provocative and inflammatory TV style that was both compelling and polarizing. Downey was among the first to introduce combative interrogation and audience participation into his television show, which took him from obscurity to the heights of fame, and finally to an inevitable downfall.

Directed by Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller, and Jeremy Newberger, Evocateur is not just an exploration of Morton Downey Jr.'s life and career, but also a fascinating study of the cultural and political climate of the 1980s United States that allowed his show to flourish. The film uses a combination of archive footage and interviews with people who interacted with Downey, those who were influenced by him, and those who studied him from afar to draw an intimate and three-dimensional picture of an often misunderstood figure.

Glenn Beck and Victoria Jackson, both popular figures within the entertainment industry, provide unique insights and reflections throughout the film on Downey's groundbreaking approach to television. Additionally, the documentary includes snippets and full segments from Downey's TV show, along with numerous interviews featuring Downey himself, offering viewers a firsthand look at his explosive yet charismatic personality and his no-holds-barred interviewing style.

Evocateur delves deep into Downey's personal life, tracing his roots as a member of a famous family. His father, Morton Downey Sr., was a wildly popular singer, and his mother Barbara Bennett was a film actress and doted on by the press. Despite all of this, Downey Jr. had a challenging relationship with his family which was marked by struggles and tensions. These would later be reflected in his television persona.

The documentary further showcases Downey's deviation from the typical talk show mold: his show was boisterous and confrontational with a tagline of "Arguments, anger, conflicts!". Downey was known for baiting his guests into heated arguments, inviting audience participation, and wasn't above using off-color language or resorting to personal attacks to provoke a reaction. Viewers can get a sense of the highs and lows of Downey's career, and the impact it had on the television landscape.

Above all, Evocateur offers a close look at the complex milieu of the 1980s, a time when American society was at a crossroads. On one hand, there was optimism and economic prosperity, and on the other, there were deep divisions and social conflict. It underscores how Downey, despite his controversial methods, became a mouthpiece for a significant section of society, channeling their frustrations, fears, and anger into front-room television, turning them into something cathartic and transformative.

Through a blend of clips, interview footage, and animations, the documentary illuminates the captivating life of Downey, the excesses of his time, and the shocking “say-anything” nature of his show, which prefigured the polarized media landscape we find ourselves in today. The film, while examining Downey's colorful life, also grapples with broader questions about celebrity, consumption of media, and the art of provocation both on and off-screen.

In summary, Evocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie is an eye-opening trip back to a pivotal time in the evolution of television. Offering an uncompromising and truly engaging look into the legacy of a man who, in many ways, redefined the concept of television talk shows, this documentary is an intriguing watch for anyone interested in the history of American TV or the inner workings of the media industry. This is a film about an era of change, a burst of raw performance, and a provocative figure that dared to push the envelope. Love him or hate him, Morton Downey Jr.'s influence on the media landscape is undeniable and continues to this very day.