I loved this movie maybe because I’m starting to love Greg Kinnear, and not in a I want to fuck him way but in a woah, this dude is really good at what he doesv way. Auto Focus is pretty much about Bob Crane, yes the dude from Hogan Heroes, yes, the cute one who wore a hat. I remember watching Hogan’s Heroes everyday at 3pm when I was much much younger and the world was a nicer place, it was the same time slot where they played Gomer Pyle, Petticoat Junction, I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched. Unfortunately, M.A.S.H was screened at 11pm and I was in bed by then, damn fuckin schoolgirl rules.
Anyhoo, I digress. In my opinion Kinnear saved Auto Focus, yeah, so Crane sorta had a porn video collection, pictures and what not but I reckon that was his own business. The movie basically puts the blame of his downfall and his burning out on his “extra circular activities”. Maybe it did, maybe it didn’t…..I’m not one to judge but I reckon there must have been a lot more shit at work….but it’s a movie and that’s okay, considering at that time (the 60’s), it was mostly frowned upon, if it was here and now, he’d be on www.superficial.com like almost everyday and everyone would just go, yeah that Crane, he’s fuckin maniac.
Crane is dead by the way, murdered, everyone and yes even I think it was John Carpenter……his then best friend….if you get the DVD, there’s even like a documentary on the trial and the evidence, they also keep flashing a picture of Crane’s bloody bludgeoned head, watch that if you’re into that kinda thing. You can actually just google Bob Crane and you’ll get that picture.
John Carpenter. Willem Dafoe. Now Dafoe seems to be good in just about anything he does, sometimes a little too good and he’s got that face….that “You know I’m up to something…..something bad.” face. I honestly don’t think he can help it, it just his face and he also has a flair for the dramatics…if you watched Tropic Thunder you would have seen Ben Stiller totally spoof DaFoe’s glorified execution in Platoon, yes the same one when he’s on his knees, arms in the air and everything is in slow mo. Drama at its best. DaFoe in Auto Focus…….his role did not require much shall we say….talent…but nonetheless he came through, like he always does. Excellent casting!!
If I was asked who would have made a good Bob Crane, Kinnear wouldn’t have even crossed my mind but now that I’ve watched it, I can’t think of anyone else for the role. He aced it. He was perfect. He was Bob Crane.
4 Pills Out Of 5
