Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself

In many ways, George Plimpton enjoyed one of the most successful one-trick-pony acts in the history of post-World War II publishing. Employing a technique dubbed “participatory journalism,” Plimpton would insert himself into endeavors for which he had no serious physical training—serving as the Detroit Lions' quarterback, boxing several rounds with Archie Moore, playing percussion in a symphony—and later writing about his experiences and his inevitable failure to master a talent for which he had no real talent. Plimpton's wit and self-effacing style kept this routine fresh, while his appearances on TV and in movies made him more famous as an erudite celebrity rather than a writer of great substance. This PBS-aired documentary from Tom Bean and Luke Poling pieces together Plimpton's life, which contained more than a little drama, including a troubled relationship with his father, marital problems, and being a witness to Robert F. Kennedy's assassination. Despite his association with The Paris Review, the film offers little evidence here to support the notion that he was a great writer. And despite a wealth of rare interviews and private film footage, Plimpton never appears as anything less than a master of self-promotion. Still, even though Plimpton remains a somewhat elusive figure, this handsomely produced portrait will be appreciated by those who remember him fondly. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)