Critic Reviews
72
Metascore
Generally Favorable
positive
11(92%)
mixed
1(8%)
negative
0(0%)
Showing 12 Critic Reviews
Jun 7, 2012
88
Williams, who was elected president of ASCAP in 2009, speaks frankly and eloquently about his problems dealing with fame, and his recovery. And more important, he earns our thanks by resolutely refusing to let Kessler turn this into a clichéd documentary.
Jun 21, 2012
83
The movie is fascinating, though it smacks its own lips a bit too much at the tackiness of freak '70s stardom.
Jun 5, 2012
80
The film has a winning combination for all sorts of platforms as the story is highly intriguing and the music speaks, or rather sings, for itself.
Jun 5, 2012
80
An engrossing and satisfying picture, one that can be enjoyed even by people who have never before heard of its subject.
Jun 5, 2012
80
The oft-hilarious push-and-pull between director and subject - Williams wryly notes that the film is turning into "the Steve and Paulie Show" - effectively hacks away at the celebrity-enthusiast divide. By the end of this perceptive dual portrait, both men are content to merely be human.
Jun 7, 2012
80
Mr. Williams's quiet integrity trumps Mr. Kessler at every turn. Self-aware and articulate, with a modesty born from confidence, he persistently uses the film to extol - and demonstrate - the rewards of recovery. His conviction brings necessary moral weight to Paul Williams: Still Alive, which transcends caricature to emerge an impressive personal testament.
Jul 28, 2012
80
What makes the movie so good is Williams' absolute refusal to play along.
Jun 5, 2012
70
Johnny Carson loved him, and Williams had the credits to back himself up: As with Jimmy Webb, you could probably sing many of his songs without knowing that he's the author.
Jun 13, 2012
70
Too bad the film's obscure star will be a hard sell to non-music geeks or anyone born after 1965, because this film's a blast.
Jun 6, 2012
67
The footage in Paul Williams Still Alive - old and new - is highly entertaining, even moving. But it's as though Kessler recorded the DVD commentary track first, then made the movie.
