Like many others, am an admirer of Werner Herzog's work and his partnership with Klaus Kinski is quite iconic for good reason. Kinski was a great actor who deserved more recognition than he actually got, and his work with Herzog was when he was at his best.
All five of their films together are worth watching or more. Was let down somewhat by 'Cobra Verde', but 'Aguirre Wrath of God' is a masterful crowning achievement in German (and foreign) cinema and 'Fitzcarraldo' (for me their best) is even more of a masterpiece. 'Nosferatu' and 'Woyzeck' are also great, near-classics. Just for the record, admired Herzog's work in all five films (it was the script and story that let down 'Cobra Verde') and Kinski's performances were great or more in all too.
'My Best Fiend' is fascinating, as well as sometimes funny and affecting, and a must for anybody wanting to know more about Herzog and Kinski, more so on Kinski. Herzog comes across as a very knowledgeable and quite funny man, also very perceptive, if also somewhat mad (not quite as much as Kinski though). What is said about Kinski is incredibly illuminating, not only showing what a great actor he was but also that he was a complex individual, much more complex than he is often made out to be.
Much is said about how notoriously difficult he was to work with, that he was pretty nuts and wasn't the nicest of guys, but actually there is also things said about him having a softer side (the most memorable being his 'Woyzeck' co-star Eva Mattes) that we don't hear much of. The other contributions are also interesting, such as from Mattes and Claudia Cardinale.
It is also made with a lot of affection, and one really does see how great an actor Kinski was.
Overall, fascinating and a must see, both for fans of this partnership and as a documentary in general. 10/10 Bethany Cox
All five of their films together are worth watching or more. Was let down somewhat by 'Cobra Verde', but 'Aguirre Wrath of God' is a masterful crowning achievement in German (and foreign) cinema and 'Fitzcarraldo' (for me their best) is even more of a masterpiece. 'Nosferatu' and 'Woyzeck' are also great, near-classics. Just for the record, admired Herzog's work in all five films (it was the script and story that let down 'Cobra Verde') and Kinski's performances were great or more in all too.
'My Best Fiend' is fascinating, as well as sometimes funny and affecting, and a must for anybody wanting to know more about Herzog and Kinski, more so on Kinski. Herzog comes across as a very knowledgeable and quite funny man, also very perceptive, if also somewhat mad (not quite as much as Kinski though). What is said about Kinski is incredibly illuminating, not only showing what a great actor he was but also that he was a complex individual, much more complex than he is often made out to be.
Much is said about how notoriously difficult he was to work with, that he was pretty nuts and wasn't the nicest of guys, but actually there is also things said about him having a softer side (the most memorable being his 'Woyzeck' co-star Eva Mattes) that we don't hear much of. The other contributions are also interesting, such as from Mattes and Claudia Cardinale.
It is also made with a lot of affection, and one really does see how great an actor Kinski was.
Overall, fascinating and a must see, both for fans of this partnership and as a documentary in general. 10/10 Bethany Cox