Review of Smash His Camera (2010) by Meg B — 22 Aug 2012

Interesting look at the career of one of the most famous paparazzos ever (though I must admit that I had never heard of him before I saw this film). This documentary is one of the most fair I have ever seen. The director went out of his way to present both sides of this subject, and both were presented with almost equal sympathy.

I abhor celebrity journalism, but I have to give Ron Galella a little respect if for nothing else that he found a way to lawfully make money doing something he loves (even if it is strange and kind of creepy). The real schmucks are the publishers who buy his photos. People complain about the paparazzi, but in all fairness, they wouldn't be doing what they are doing if there wasn't money to be made. And celebrity pictures sell...a lot.

And I do have to admit that some of his pictures were quite entertaining, especially after hearing him tell the stories behind them.