David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived (2023) is a heartbreaking HBO doc about Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double who was paralyzed on the set of Harry Potter . It shifts the focus from magical fame to the physical toll of the craft.
But why are we so obsessed with watching shows about shows? And how have these documentaries reshaped the legacy of some of Hollywood’s most powerful players?
Take Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story . While praised for its sensitivity, it required the cooperation of Reeve’s estate. Contrast that with The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes , which was criticized by Monroe’s estate for speculative editing.
The Joe Schmo Show (2003) aside, The Biggest Little Farm (2018) isn't about Hollywood, but it teaches the same lesson: patience and logistics. For a direct hit, watch The Stand-Ins (2021) to see the people who stand where Brad Pitt stands, then go home unnoticed. The Streaming Effect: How Netflix and Max Killed the DVD Commentary The decline of physical media has, paradoxically, saved the industry documentary. When DVDs died, the commentary track and the "making of" featurette almost died with them. Streaming services needed content that filled the gap left by those special features.
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019) is riveting. It turns the invisible art of Foley artists and re-recording mixers into a thrilling detective story.