Becoming Mike Nichols
Directed by Douglas McGrath
2016/US
HBO Documentary Films
First viewing/Amazon Instant
[box] [Part of 2005 Tony Award acceptance speech] “God, my head is totally empty. I had a thing I was going to say, and I have forgot it, because I had given up so long ago. But the first thing to say is thank you. … I guess you are thinking age before beauty, me too! My congratulations to the winners. My love to those who have not won tonight. I just want to remind you of my motto: Cheer up, life isn’t everything. It always stands me in good stead.” — Mike Nichols[/box]
In the last interview he gave before his death, the multi-talented Mike Nichols talked with theater director Jack O’Brien about his life and work. The conversation spans his family’s immigration to the U.S. from Nazi Germany, through his improv work and directing on Broadway, finishing his stunning early career as a film director in Who’s Afraid of Virginia and The Graduate. Nichols is a very engaging talker and the whole thing is packed with superb clips. My favorites were from various sketches with Elaine May. Recommended. Currently available on YouTube.
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