My Best Friend: Klaus Kinski

'Klaus is Nuts!'

Okay, so few of you might recognize the names of Klaus Kinski and Werner Herzog. Woyzcek anyone? They made many old famous foreign films together and were considered quite the actor/director item. The thing to remember though, is that Klaus had to have been justifiably insane. Had to be. And this film proves it.

The film itself is a self-done documentary about the life of Klaus Kinski and the work he and Werner Herzog did together. It covers all of the collaborative movies and the background of the two men's history together. And if you as a director think you are working with a stuckup or frustrating actor, watch this film and feel better knowing that they are never going to be this hard to handle. Unless of course your actor pushes you to the brink of wanting to firebomb their house. In that case, do as many films as possible with them and be inducted into the greats of film history. Yes, it got that intense and crazy.

The footage isn't remarkable always but it is interesting hearing reflections on Klaus from people who worked with him and seeing how it comes across on screen. I'm sorry, but I would never stay in a place where the villagers have offered the possibility of killing the lead actor for me, which is exactly what Werner does at one point and the animosity of the indians to Kinski is vibrant on the screen for the film. The story is worth the telling as a documentary if only to capture as best as possible the crazy and insane collaborative kinmanship between these two artists and see how that translates to such classics as Fitzcarraldo and Aguirre. The tales of Kinski will astound anyone. Unfortunately, this film is also riddled with flaws. Werner seems too preoccupied at times with clearing his name of being called crazy and of other rumors perpetuated by Kinski. I agree that it must be hard after becoming so close to someone whom you hate as much as you love and whom slanders you to the masses. Still though, it isn't always necessary. Also, the biggest annoyance of the film is the clips from previous films and other footage showing Kinski talking. On one hand, I understand that this footage is to help convey his madness which has no need for a translation and is readily apparent. However, it would have been great to have at least had subtitles at times. When Kinksi rants to a giant crowd and throws the microphone or when he is screaming at the lighting director, I want to know what exactly the interchange is really about. I understand that due to his in your face nature, it would be hard to get the subtitles up and read in time befor ethe next one appears, but it would have been a real help I feel for getting to understand his personality better and how what Werner says about Kinski and how that translates to our own perceptions of his lunacy.

Conclusion:
No doubt about it. Kinski was an AMAZING actor who brought an intense fire with him into everything he did, and his lunacy helps only to further that. This film is a great look at the well documented egotism and dangerous lunacy of Kinski as told by the director who gained his greatest trust. Unfortunately, it feels too much at times like, "well, he may have said this but its not true. This is my side of the story..." Despite the flaws and aggravating untranslated clips, this film is still a must see for any director, actor, or anyone who loves Jerry Springer. Kinski was the ultimate throwdown.

3.6 out of 5

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