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Paul Williams: Still Alive

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This film is an absolute hoot for anyone who remembers Williams' '70s heyday when he was a fixture on television and his songs were all over the radio, performed by stars of the era like the Carpenters ("We've Only Just Begun," "Rainy Days and Mondays") Three Dog Night ("Just an Old Fashioned Love Song") Barbra Streisand ("Evergreen") and even the Muppets ("Rainbow Connection".)

Filmmaker Kessler was a big fan back in this era and when he decided he wanted to make a documentary about Williams he actually thought that Paul was dead.

He quickly found out otherwise, tracked Williams down, and talked him into the idea although Williams was resistant at first. Williams is curt to the point of rudeness with Kessler at the onset of the film but as the story progresses and Kessler tags along to a couple of gigs in a sketchy part of the Philippines, Williams not only warms but befriends and extends trust to Kessler.

The best part is that Williams has a great sense of humor, sometimes dry and self-deprecating, and Kessler captures many funny moments and presents them well. Includes snippets of performance.


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