Review of That Guy Dick Miller (2014) by Allan C — 26 Jun 2016

You've seen him in "The Terminator," "Gremlins," "After Hours," and "Looney Tunes: Back in Action." He's appeared in cult classics like "The Little Shop of Horrors," "Piranha,"Truck Turner," and "Cannonball!" He's worked with directors including Martin Scorsese, Stephen Spielberg, James Cameron, and John Sayles.

He's also appeared in garbage you've probably never heard of, like "Evil Toons," "Night Call Nurses," and "Route 666." The actor is Dick Miller, who you may not know his name, but once you see him and hear his voice, just about anyone who's ever seen a movie would recognize him.

This loving documentary recounts his career by talking extensively with the colorful Miller and many of his collaborators, dating back to his start in low budget Roger Corman films. It's an interesting story how Miller got his start with Corman pictures and later in his career in the 70s when Corman was producing films with a young generation of filmmakers who grew up watching his film all wanted to use Miller, largely out of a fondness for him from old Corman pictures, but then immediately gained an appreciation for his talent at bringing great performances to small parts.

Some of the filmmakers and former collaborators of Miller's who are interviewed include Roger Corman, Joe Dante, Fred Dekker, Steve Carver, Allan Arkush, Jon Davison, Ernest Dickerson, Gilbert Adler, Jack Hill, Fred Olen Ray, Adam Rifkin, and John Sayles.

Some acting colleagues interviewed include Mary Woronov, Wiliam Sadler, Robert Forster, Corey Feldman, and Zach Gilligan. I think my only disappointment with the documentary was that outside of talking to John Sayles, none of the "serious" filmmakers he's worked with were interviewed.

The same goes for the major film stars he's shared scenes with, like Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, or Arnold. Still, Miller's roots are really in low-budget films and that does seem to make sense for where the film would focus.

A great documentary about one of the most recognizable and prolific character actors around. A must see for anyone interested in this type of thing!