“Dear Mr. Brody” isn’t as formally daring as writer-director Keith Maitland’s documentary debut, “Tower,” but it nonetheless boasts plenty of nonfiction flourishes — most notably, dramatic recreations of some of the thousands of unopened letters that were sent to Michael Brody Jr. in 1970 after the 21-year-old promised that he’d give away $25 million to anyone and everyone who asked. Brody’s wild Warholian 15 minutes of fame are the nominal center of attention of this fascinating doc, which has gotten considerable documentary exposure in a pandemic year. Yet its most fascinating focus are those typed and handwritten correspondences, which allow for
The heir to the Jelke margarine empire, Brody made headlines when — after marrying his wife Renee in whirlwind fashion, and chartering a 747 to return them home from their Hawaii honeymoon — he began making public pledges to donate his entire fortune. Brody claimed that his generosity sprang from a desire...
The heir to the Jelke margarine empire, Brody made headlines when — after marrying his wife Renee in whirlwind fashion, and chartering a 747 to return them home from their Hawaii honeymoon — he began making public pledges to donate his entire fortune. Brody claimed that his generosity sprang from a desire...
- 6/11/2021
- by Nick Schager
- Variety Film + TV
Long before the days of going viral with a scam to share wealth with whomever retweets a comment, there was Michael J. Brody Jr., an Oleomargarine heir and alleged hippie millionaire who pledged to give away his wealth without thinking through an orderly process. Surrounding himself by “yes” men, he becomes a subject of fascination on news programs in the New York City area, eventually capturing the attention of producer Ed Pressman, who takes ownership of the letters as research for a future narrative film about Brody.
Keith Maitland, who brought to animated life the University of Texas Tower shooting with the documentary Tower, brings the same immediacy to the moment in a film that simultaneously tells Brody’s story through archival materials and new interviews while tracking down a few of those who were seeking his help. Melissa Robyn Glassman, former assistant to Ed Pressman, has the task of...
Keith Maitland, who brought to animated life the University of Texas Tower shooting with the documentary Tower, brings the same immediacy to the moment in a film that simultaneously tells Brody’s story through archival materials and new interviews while tracking down a few of those who were seeking his help. Melissa Robyn Glassman, former assistant to Ed Pressman, has the task of...
- 3/28/2021
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
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