Review of Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts (2007) by Andrew C — 19 Aug 2009

A generally competent, but incomplete documentary of Philip Glass. Director Scott Hicks presents us with roughly two hours, and 12 categories, of material, from which we can certainly get a better understanding of Philip Glass and his legacy as the one-time maverick composer now contemporary living legend.

The problem, though, is that Hicks maybe is too friendly with his subject, and never really gleans much into Glass? personal/emotional state. And this lack of a more thorough study into Glass? home life does the entire documentary no good.

It does help explain, however, why his wife?s, Holly Critchlow?s, eventually highly honest and revealing description of her marriage with Glass seems like a surprise, when it probably shouldn?t. Hicks spends too much time on overly-detailed subjects (e.

G., his spiritual teachings) and too little on Glass? current and past relationships. It?s almost as if he took to heart what Glass? sister, Sheppie, told him when she said that she would not discuss much about her brother?s wives, since Hicks really doesn?t do so either.

Which is a shame, because the documentary does a fine job highlighting the professional, artistic side of Glass and his career; it?s just that it doesn?t steal away with enough insight into Glass? personal life.