His Way (2011)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Jerry Weintraub is that rare person in show business that has enjoyed a fantastic success in most of the things he has gone into. "His Way" a documentary by Douglas McGrath examines the man from his somewhat humble beginnings in the Bronx to his present stratospheric status. Obviously, the documentary is a sort of "inside joke" that people without a clue as to what the subject matter really is and his world, will feel lost with some of the reference material that is explored in the film.Supposedly, Jerry Weintraub can sell anyone whatever he is peddling. He tells us a little bit about that when he talks about his army days in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he discovered exactly that, he could just sell anything from the store he was working to his comrades in stuck in that outpost. It was only natural he gravitated toward show business because of the glamor and the bright lights it offered. The producer first great coup came from his association with Col. Parker, who handled Elvis Presley's career. In addition to that achievement, Mr. Weintraub was involved with Frank Sinatra, whose singing took a step back as he pursued a Hollywood stardom. Other great names in the entertainment business became closely associated with the producer.In his line of work, Jerry Weintraub came in contact with amazing beautiful women who would have given him any sexual favors in exchange for a chance to become known. One of those ladies, whose name is not revealed, became the object of his wife attention. Challenging her husband, Jane Morgan decided she wanted a check for one million dollars if Jerry wanted to be with that bimbo. Evidently, that cured any desires to cheat on her.What is curious is the fact that later in his life, Jerry Weintraub fell in love with a much younger woman, Susan Elkins. In a surprising move, Jane Morgan did not feel the need to divorced the man she had married, and instead, allowed him to allow him a relationship with Ms. Elkins. Not only that, in a bizarre move, Ms. Morgan and Ms. Elkins became, and are, good friends, united perhaps in the way they felt about the man in their lives.Many celebrities are interviewed for the documentary. Among them we see present day Hollywood stars such as George Clooney, Matt Damon, Ellen Barkin, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Bruce Willis, and others that speak glowingly about a man that has had a great influence in their lives, as well as in their careers. A candid Barbara Bush, the former First Lady comments as to what would had happened to Jerry Weintraub had she been in Jane Morgan's shoes.A must see documentary directed with flair by Douglas McGrath.

It is interesting, I've heard of Jews for Jesus but I've never heard of Jews for Mormans. Barbara Bush says "If George ever did that, I would kill him", again interesting since her son George 'W' murdered thousands. I'm not sure this is a inspirational movie with the exception that he did work his tail off. Anywho, I wouldn't be bragging about the lifestyle. I'm wrong, it is inspirational to people to say don't do this. Kind of like Janet Reno is an inspirational to little girls for killing people but not having any accountability, who wouldn't want to become a AG for America now. Go for the jobs with no accountability is the way to go. .

I recognized the name Jerry Weintraub but was not familiar with one detail of his life. Thanks to this documentary I feel I've met a fascinating and influential individual to whom I am, at the least, eternally grateful for believing in/producing one of my favorite films of all time, Diner.Also, I'm not an Oceans fan or a huge Clooney fan, but OK, I get it now, the guy is hilarious and he and "Pitt" and "Cheadle" etc. must have had a complete boysclub blast making those movies and I gotta love them for just wanting to have fun. Fun is under-appreciated in today's world imo.And another thing: Weintraub, his wife, and his girlfriend...in this era of idiotic self-centered TV hoes screaming and ripping each other's hair out over stupid and vapid child-men, it is refreshingly civilized to see three classy and mature individuals respect and admire each other enough to say "fvck it" to societal conventions and live as they please.