THE STORY – From world leaders to pop culture icons and international supermodels, Richard Avedon’s influence is the blueprint for our image-driven world. His photographs didn’t just reflect culture, they shaped it. AVEDON traces the life and legacy of an artist who used photography to reinvent the world around him. Drawing on unprecedented access to Richard Avedon’s personal archives—never-before-seen stills, intimate behind-the-lens footage, and new interviews with his closest collaborators—the film explores how his singular eye both reflected and reshaped the visual language of the 20th century, and why even the most iconic image is only half the story.
THE CAST – Richard Avedon
THE TEAM – Ron Howard (Director)
THE RUNNING TIME – 104 Minutes
You may have never heard of Richard Avedon, but you will know his photographs. From Marilyn Monroe to Audrey Hepburn, Avedon captured some of Hollywood’s finest through his singular lens. Ron Howard’s latest film, “Avedon,” documents Avedon’s life and career, using archive footage of him speaking, combined with interviews with his family and peers, to form a cohesive narrative. It’s a solid, well-made documentary that successfully communicates Avedon’s essence.
Working alongside the Richard Avedon Foundation, Ron Howard’s latest documentary chronicles Avedon’s sixty-year career in photography. Howard involves an expansive pool of talent, including Isabella Rossellini, Lauren Hutton, and Avedon’s son, John F. Avedon, to help paint a portrait of Avedon’s life and career. They offer personal insights into his somewhat ruthless nature, upbringing, and approach to life. It’s certainly an engaging portrait of an iconic figure that flows well with its straightforward narrative structure and works almost like a filmed Wikipedia entry, updating viewers on his life story.
Richard Avedon’s photos were almost always shot on white backgrounds, allowing the focus to remain on the model’s facial expressions and looks. The film makes it clear that Avedon wanted to strip back the glitz and glamour and capture real moments from his subjects. His drive for authenticity is best seen in his shots with Marilyn Monroe, snapping a split-second moment when the Hollywood icon yields her magical, yet performative, smile. This glimpse into Monroe’s well-documented, off-screen persona is the perfect example of Avedon’s patience and determination to capture some sense of reality, despite working with larger-than-life figures like Monroe.
Howard allows Avedon to take center stage; the documentary utilizes extensive archival footage to piece together its narrative. The visuals are carefully selected to match Avedon’s words and help guide the spectator through the photographer’s life and legacy. There is nothing revolutionary about Howard’s documentary; it’s fairly formulaic and never tries to be anything more than a well-made film that hits key points, letting Avedon’s work and words paint a picture of the man himself.
Newly filmed interviews with Avedon’s son and people like Isabella Rossellini and Lauren Hutton add further depth to Avedon’s story. They help round out Avedon’s words in archival footage to fill up the runtime. The shots are very Hollywood and digital, which contrasts with the grainy archival footage but subtly represent the digital era, which, sadly, Avedon didn’t get to witness for long. Anyone can take photos or film videos on their phone these days, but the direction and creative choices of the artist are key to making something truly impactful. Whether this was intentional or not, Howard’s standard-looking digital shots show that he is far more interested in the film’s subject matter, painting Avedon’s story, than creating something that will be visually impactful for the audience. In a way, Howard steps back and lets Avedon do the talking.
For those who weren’t well acquainted with Avedon before watching Howard’s documentary, it may come as a surprise that Avedon himself inspired 1957’s “Funny Face” starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. “Funny Face” writer Leonard Gershe was friends with Avedon and based the story on his friend’s romance with model Dorcas Marie Nowell. The Hepburn-starring film is one of the most iconic movies of all time. Still, without being told or researched, most cineastes wouldn’t have known that Avedon’s life and career were fundamental to ‘Funny Face’ existing.
Howard doesn’t gloss over Avedon’s political beliefs or how they influenced his photography. Particularly during the Vietnam War, Avedon was keen to capture portraits of those living in Saigon. His photos depict the harsh reality of everyday life for Vietnamese people. Also, his disregard for prominent figures, such as the Prince and Princess of X, emphasizes his indifference to upsetting those with power. His personal life is touched on throughout the film, with his son being the most direct source, but it’s said that Avedon himself could be quite ruthless, which the documentary didn’t highlight too much. Being developed alongside the Richard Avedon Foundation, it naturally isn’t a scathing or overly deep dive into his actions. This is the film’s biggest drawback; one can’t help but feel that it’s a puff piece for Avedon.
Ultimately, Ron Howard pays tribute to one of America’s greatest photographers with this intriguing documentary. It’s an respectful portrait that will captivate those interested in Avedon’s life. Knowing his photography on the elegant spreads of some of the world’s most iconic magazines, or just a few photos of stars like Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn, everyone can get something out of this film. Howard does a good job at bringing Avedon’s story together, showing his artistic process and political beliefs that influenced his photography.
