The Bill Murray Stories

Filmmaker Tommy Avallone finds unexpected intellectual content in a topic seemingly ripe for yucks and celebrity gossip—namely, the confirmed habit of star actor Bill Murray to appear randomly in non-showbiz places (notably Charleston, SC, where he has business interests), interact with strangers (in wedding-photo shoots, house concerts, or even helping do the dishwashing after a party), and then quietly disappear, occasionally dropping a catchphrase, "No one will ever believe you." Even Murray's promotional appearances in venues like San Diego Comic-Con (and an under-construction poetry library) have an unaffected, off-the-cuff feel. Avallone, with assists from author Gavin Edwards (The Tao of Bill Murray) decides that rather than a prank schtick or PR, Murray is conveying tenets of Eastern religions and philosophy: to live and share in the moment and take what comes on a Zen level. A (brief) survey of Murray comedies find Buddhism and Taoism surfacing in the likes of Meatballs and Caddyshack (and, of course, Groundhog Day), and one may gain renewed appreciation now for Murray's early sortie into straight drama, the 1984 adaptation of the W. Somerset Maugham spiritual-seeker novel The Razor's Edge, which mystified fans and critics. So, does Murray ever sit down with the questing filmmaker for an enlightening dialogue? In the end it doesn't really matter, Grasshoppper. This fun, offbeat documentary is recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)