User Reviews

Buzz and Caitlin are insufferable in this documentary. However, there is one tender scene between a UPenn student and Caitlin at a Q&A that I really appreciated. The BEST PART of this documentary is Lisa Smith (Buzz's wife ... they are now separated). Lisa is beautiful and brilliant and I wish her all the love and happiness in the world. She was so honest in the documentary and it depicts something I haven't seen very often : a partner learning to adjust to a significant other's exploration. She has a beautiful soul and it is so apparent in this film.

"Buzz" (2019 release; 90 min.) is a documentary about the life and times of best-selling writer Buzz Bissinger ("Friday Night Lights", among many others). As the movie opens, we are in "Malibu, California", where he is collaborating with Caitlyn Jenner on her upcoming memoir about her transitioning from Bruce to Caitlyn. We then go to "Long Beach Peninsula, WA", where Buzz is talking a walk with his wife Lisa Smith and their two dogs. Along the way Buzz admits that "I've got a darkness, I've done a lot of damage." At this point we're 10 min. Into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is written and directed by Andrew Shea ("Wrestling Alligators"), who seemingly spent YEARS following Bissinger around for this film. Let me admit upfront that while I knew Bissinger had written FNL, I knew absolutely nothing about the man. The first half of the film focuses mainly on the author's professional side (his books). The second half of the film shifts significantly more towards the author's personal side, including his interest in leather dressing and cross dressing, S&M, and other related darker topics. And how does his wife deal with this? Just watch! I found it all mildly amusing, and enjoyed watching it, although I don't think I'd watch it again (too much other stuff to watch!).

"Buzz" premiered on HBO in 2019, and somehow I had missed this, but I recently stumbled on it on HBO On Demand. Presumably it's also available on HBO Max, Amazon Instant Video and other streaming services. If you are curious about the man behind the book "Friday Night Lights", I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Enjoyed the film thoroughly. The subject matter is timely, yet Buzz's age points to the universal qualities of being human. Where does one fit?

Buzz's bona fide success and competency line up nicely with his 'alter' self. Intriguing and intimate portrait. For me, fun.

Gave this title a look just because it was on HBO -- and knew little more than that it was about the writer of the Friday Night Lights novel -- that the movie and subsequent TV series was based on. Was completely engaged right from the start by Buzz who seemed like a larger-than-life character and it wasn't until maybe 1/3 of the way in that it took a turn into Buzz's secret lifestyle and the struggles it has made him endure. The other main character besides Buzz's conflicted spouse was none other than Caitlyn Jenner; whose biography Buzz just got finished co-authoring -- and the portrayal of Jenner definitely caught us off-guard; in that she was sympathetic and a POV worth hearing. Though the film concentrated increasingly on Buzz's hidden life; it only occasionally felt uncomfortable and certainly never gratuitous or sensationalistic -- two traps it would have been so easy to fall into; more than anything a tribute to the engaging direction and production of the piece. Worth an hour and a half of your time for sure.

Buzz Bissinger is a captivating character with real human struggles. This film is an enlightening look into the broad spectrum of human sexuality. It wrestles with the complex ideas of living one's true sexual self while retaining the security and deep love of a traditional marriage. It's not clear if Buzz has figured it out, but the film nonetheless leaves you hopeful that this man is smart enough to get it right.

The fact that the backdrop of this film is Buzz's collaboration with Caitlyn Jenner gives us a powerful touchstone for his own struggle with identity, while also framing his path in the larger context of how far we've come in understanding gender and sexuality as a society.

I found Buzz to be an insightful look into one man's struggle to find not only meaning, but recognition of his identity. Given his reputation as a writer, I applaud Buzz for his honesty. Good film.

I meant to watch half and then go to bed, but really couldn't, it was too compelling, about Buzz Bissinger, Pulitzer Prize winning author, now also exploring the edges of his identity.

Some of my favorite moments were ones that might seem marginal, but I suspect weren't -- an interview with a Friday Night Lights ex-football-star, now in prison; the scene of Buzz teaching writing class -- great teacher! I also really liked the portrait of Lisa, his wife. I began to feel her as a moral centerpiece of the film, also very smart and engaging. There is also fascinating repartee between Caitlin Jenner and Buzz (writing a book about her); the almost "married couple" they became, and the creative process of writing a book.

Buzz is a bit of a mystery to me, maybe because I don't identify with his obsessions, and find them somewhat unappealing. But it's clearly part and parcel of his uniqueness and his brilliance as a reporter -- and I admire the honesty with which he (and Caitlyn) expose their authentic, and long hidden, selves to the world. Pretty amazing stuff to get on film.

I like that the film didn't seem to take any strong editorial point of view, but simply let the characters present themselves as they chose.

This is one of the best docs I have seen in a long time!

The scenes of the marriage falling apart (or did it?) were stunningly intimate. I loved how muddy and messy everything was, with both Buzz and Lisa trying to figure out not only how to deal with Buzz's sexuality, but even to find the right words to describe it!

The documentary is told with gripping veriteé footage. Rather than "experts" opining on these issues, you see real people struggling through them.

I don't get reviewers (fortunately not many here) saying this is shoving a perspective down our throat. All good art and literature and films help us to be empathetic with someone's experience, and that's what this does, incredibly well. You always have the choice not to watch the film - but you should.

A very worthy film. Timely, thought provoking, and rare in it's incredibly intimate portrayal of a complicated man and marriage. Structured around Buzz's book with Caitlin, their relationship feels important, fun and formative; it could've easily been nothing but celebrity sparkle in the hands of another filmmaker. Buzz's wife Lisa is a true highlight. Eloquent and moving in her acceptance, their marriage leaves a lot to be admired and discussed. I couldn't stop thinking about it, days after watching. Some beautiful scenes between them and their family/dogs and no crap conversations about companionship and desire at their age -- stuff an audience is rarely privy to. Kudos to them for their honesty and to the director and editor for capturing and telling this story with such care and humanity. Without being message-y, the film asks what it looks like to live an authentic life, and to keep loving each other through those changes, however painstaking they may be.

This is a compelling character study of a fascinating writer. But it is also a beautifully crafted documentary. Exquisitely filmed and edited with a clear narrative line. Highly recommend it,

Buzz is an engrossing, psychological study of a public figure wrestling with his obsessions and the impact they have on his personal life. The intimate access to Bissinger and his wife and his bare confessions expose the internal conflict of one who genuinely does not fit a mold in society and the weight that misfit status has on one's psyche. Director Andrew Shea has painted a rich portrait of his subject Buzz.

This is an interesting and well-done documentary. Kept me watching as the story took some unexpected turns.

I loved this film so much. So much of his back story as a NY Jew came streaming through. His choice of words, his in your face statements, her openness about her marriage! I love these characters and the authenticity of it all. No shame. Thank-you to the Sheas for bringing this displaced New Yorker a touch of home.

This film's story was more about Buzz than Kaitlin and showed that her bravery has inspired many to live their authentic selves, as is frequently mentioned as the reason for the book. The storyline was well conceived and executed; editing was excellent.

What an interesting portrayal of two individuals' journeys towards self actualization. The structure of the film kept my attention and offered an honest insight into everyone's journey. Beautifully done!