Review of Finding Vivian Maier (2014) by Josh R — 04 Oct 2014

Undeniable photographer, mysterious movie-making. This movie touches on so many interesting and deeply explorable topics: photography, posthumous fame, the artistic struggle and, of course, human mystery - do we even know the people we think we know? Perplexingly, however, the movie illuminates all the right questions, but provides hardly any tangible answers.

From the very first note, where a large number of photos are purchased, seemingly without knowledge of the work's genius, we are left to wonder, "well, how did these photos even get to auction in the first place?" A question the movie never answers.

As the movie unfolds, we learn of this private hoarder who perhaps did or perhaps did not ever seek out recognition for her work. We are lead, through the inventive puzzle-piecing of the narrator, to a small French village find out more about our mysterious Vivian and then back through the lives of the families she touched, uncovering a sort of hidden madness.

All very captivating. But here's the thing - despite the journey, we never fully get to understand her and far too little is actually revealed for all the effort. The film lingers too long on the impossible subject of Vivian's intent as an artist and the effects of her madness on specific individuals, taking valuable time away from a good and true historical perspective and perhaps most unfortunately, her place in art history.

Both of which, should we believe the filmmaker's desire to give her her due, he would have been well-advised to explore.