Bert Stern: Original Mad Man

Viewers looking for a straightforward Biography or American Masters-like documentary about the late, great photographer Bert Stern (who died in June 2013) may be disappointed in this first-time effort from Shannah Laumeister, Stern's muse, lover, and eventual wife. Bert Stern: Original Mad Man presents a somewhat disjointed, non-linear exploration of Stern's life and work, jumping around to cover various highlights and milestones, but it ultimately feels oddly incomplete as a biographical portrait. On the other hand, only Laumeister had so much insight and access into the private life of a man who preferred to let his work speak for itself. All of which makes this film both fascinating and frustrating, with its revealing intimacy compensating for conspicuous gaps in biographical detail. What is clear is that Stern really was the original “Mad Man,” dazzling Madison Avenue with his innovative images and revolutionizing the art of commercial photography from the 1960s through the ‘80's. Like Andy Warhol, Stern was a magnet for the famous—especially the world's most beautiful women—leading what seemed to be a charmed life as the fashion photographer for Vogue magazine and creating many of the most iconic Hollywood portraits. His legendary “Last Sitting” photos of Marilyn Monroe are heavily emphasized, along with other classics such as the infamous “lollipop” photos of young actress Sue Lyon for the poster art of Stanley Kubrick's Lolita, and—more recently—the Marilyn-homage nudes by Lindsay Lohan. The documentary serves up a smorgasbord of glamour shots (Liz Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy, Kate Moss, Scarlett Johansson, and many more), but details about Stern's precipitous “fall from grace” due to alcohol and drug abuse are cursory. For all of his astonishing talent and success among society's elite, the Bert Stern revealed here—a kindhearted lover of women (countless women!)—never achieved any real degree of happiness. Extras include a portrait gallery and a director's bio. Although uneven, this one and only documentary about Stern's amazing life and career is easily recommended. Aud: P. (J. Shannon)