Paul Simon Movies
Rhymin' Paul Simon was writing songs with his future partner, Art Garfunkel, as far back as 1955, when both were high schoolers in Queens, NY. Achieving brief fame as the singing team of Tom and Jerry in 1957, Simon and Garfunkel broke up and re-teamed several times before "officially" emerging as Simon & Garfunkel in 1964. During this period, Simon attended Queens College as an English major, wrote songs for other recording artists, and worked as a rock show promoter. Largely a college campus attraction at first, Simon & Garfunkel attained mainstream popularity when they contributed the songs heard on the soundtrack of the 1967 film hit The Graduate. The two performers went their separate ways after the 1972 album Bridge Over Troubled Water. Like Garfunkel before him, Simon tentatively launched a film acting career, appearing as Diane Keaton's L.A.-based boyfriend in the Oscar-winning Annie Hall (1977). Thus far, Simon's only starring film has been 1980's One Trick Pony, in which he played an over-the-hill rock star planning a comeback. Paul Simon was once married to film actress Carrie Fisher, who nowadays has nothing but nice things to say about her former husband (which is more than can be said for her many ex-boyfriends). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
"Just one word: plastic." "Are you here for an affair?" These lines and others became cultural touchstones, as 1960s youth rebellion seeped into the California upper middle-class in Mike Nichols' landmark hit. Mentally adrift the summer after graduating from college, suburbanite Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) would rather float in his parents' pool than follow adult advice about his future. But the exhortation of family friend Mr. Robinson (Murray Hamilton) to seize every possible opportunity inspires Ben to accept an offer of sex from icily feline Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). The affair and the pool are all well and good until Ben is pushed to go out with the Robinsons' daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross) and he falls in love with her. Mrs. Robinson sabotages the relationship and an understandably disgusted Elaine runs back to college. Determined not to let Elaine get away, Ben follows her to school and then disrupts her family-sanctioned wedding. None too happy about her pre-determined destiny, Elaine flees with Ben -- but to what? Directing his second feature film after Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Nichols matched the story's satire of suffocating middle-class shallowness with an anti-Hollywood style influenced by the then-voguish French New Wave. Using odd angles, jittery editing, and evocative widescreen photography, Nichols welded a hip New Wave style and a generation-gap theme to a fairly traditional screwball comedy script by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham from Charles Webb's novel. Adding to the European art film sensibility, the movie offers an unsettling and ambiguous ending with no firm closure. And rather than Robert Redford, Nichols opted for a less glamorous unknown for the pivotal role of Ben, turning Hoffman into a star and opening the door for unconventional leading men throughout the 1970s. With a pop-song score written by Paul Simon and performed by Simon & Garfunkel bolstering its contemporary appeal, The Graduate opened to rave reviews in December 1967 and surpassed all commercial expectations. It became the top-grossing film of 1968 and was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Actor, and Actress, with Nichols winning Best Director. Together with Bonnie and Clyde, it stands as one of the most influential films of the late '60s, as its mordant dissection of the generation gap helped lead the way to the youth-oriented Hollywood artistic "renaissance" of the early '70s. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, (more)
The first concert film of the rock & roll era, Monterey Pop is an invaluable record of some of the major musical figures of the late 1960s. The organizers of the Monterey International Pop Festival, held June 16-18, 1967, wisely chose to record the proceedings on film for commercial distribution. Even if some of the festival's big acts -- The Byrds, The Grateful Dead, and Buffalo Springfield -- didn't make the final cut for various reasons, the roster of performers who did reads like a who's who of the era: Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother and the Holding Company (featuring Janis Joplin), Simon & Garfunkel, and The Mamas and the Papas (that group's leader, John Phillips, was one of the festival's principal organizers). The festival's "international" tag is well-earned by one performer in the film: Ravi Shankar, whose final-day performance was one of the festival's highlights and closes the movie on an exuberant note. Though the festival seemed to be anticipating nearby San Francisco's Summer of Love, the film chooses to concentrate on the musical performers, with only brief intimations of the burgeoning counterculture. ~ Tom Wiener, All Movie Guide
- 1975
The second episode of NBC's Saturday Night is dominated by music. Host Paul Simon is joined by musical guests Randy Newman, Phoebe Snow, and Art Garfunkel, who, together and separately, perform a total of 11 songs. Notable non-musical content includes a short film by Albert Brooks and a humorous segment featuring Simon playing basketball against Connie Hawkins. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Simon
A frankly adult comedy about the sex lives of the aimless and the rich, Shampoo is also a pointed commentary on the demise of 1960s idealism at the dawn of the Nixon era. It is Election Day, 1968, and randy Beverly Hills hairdresser George Roundy (Warren Beatty) is too worried about attending to all of his women's tonsorial and sexual needs, while trying to swing a bank loan to fund his own salon, to notice the fateful Presidential race. As George juggles the demands of girlfriend Jill (Goldie Hawn) and mistress Felicia (Lee Grant), not to mention Felicia's daughter (Carrie Fisher), he meets Felicia's husband Lester (Jack Warden) to get money for the salon and discovers that his beloved ex-girlfriend Jackie (Julie Christie) is now Lester's mistress. Lester asks George to escort Jackie to a banquet for Nixon supporters, leading to a series of climactic confrontations at the dinner and a Hollywood orgy that expose the conflicting demands of sex, love, and security among these terminally narcissistic L.A. denizens. As Nixon's victory speech drones in the background the following day and Paul Simon's mournful '60s music plays on the soundtrack, George's free-wheeling world collapses around him for reasons that he can barely begin to comprehend. Produced and co-written (with Chinatown scribe Robert Towne) by its star Warren Beatty, Shampoo became Beatty's second critical and popular success as a producer after Bonnie and Clyde, and it bolstered Hal Ashby's track record as director. Shampoo earned Grant an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, as well as a Supporting Actor nomination for Warden and Beatty's first nomination as writer. With Nixon's 1974 Watergate disgrace adding an extra edge to the humor for 1975 audiences, this tragic bedroom farce became one of the highest-grossing films in Columbia Pictures' history at the time. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, (more)
- 1976
This 1976 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Paul Simon and features musical guests Paul Simon and George Harrison. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Simon, George Harrison, (more)
Woody Allen's romantic comedy of the Me Decade follows the up and down relationship of two mismatched New York neurotics. Jewish comedy writer Alvy Singer (Allen) ponders the modern quest for love and his past romance with tightly-wound WASP singer Annie Hall (Diane Keaton, née Diane Hall). The twice-divorced Alvy knows that it's not easy to find a mate when the options include pretentious New York intellectuals and lifestyle-obsessed Rolling Stone writers, but la-di-dah-ing Annie seems different. Along the rocky road of their coupling, Allen/Alvy weigh in on such topics as endless therapy, movies vs. TV, the absurdity of dating rituals, anti-Semitism, drugs, and, in one of the best set pieces, repressed Midwestern WASP insanity vs. crazy Brooklyn Jewish boisterousness. Annie wants to move to Los Angeles to find that fame that finally does in the relationship -- but not before Alvy gets in a few digs at vacuous, mantra-fixated California. Originally entitled Anhedonia (the inability to enjoy oneself), Annie Hall blended the slapstick and fantasy from such earlier Allen films as Sleeper (1973) and Bananas (1971) with the more autobiographical musings of his stand-up and written comedy, using an array of such movie techniques as talking heads, splitscreens, and subtitles. Within these gleeful formal experiments and sight gags, Allen and co-writer Marshall Brickman skewered 1970s solipsism, reversing the happy marriage of opposites found in classic screwball comedies. Hailed as Allen's most mature and personal film, Annie Hall beat out Star Wars for Best Picture and also won Oscars for Allen as director and writer and for Keaton as Best Actress; audiences enthusiastically responded to Allen's take on contemporary love and turned Keaton's rumpled menswear into a fashion trend. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, (more)
- 1977
This 1977 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Charles Grodin and features musical guest Paul Simon. One of the highlights of the show is Grodin's stunning impression of Art Garfunkel, as he attempts to sing a duet with Simon. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Grodin, Paul Simon, (more)
- 1977
Enjoy the sounds of Paul Simon, joined by Art Garfunkel on several songs, in this Lorne Michael ("Saturday Night Live") produced special highlighted by "SNL" star appearances. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1978
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A mockumentary of a Beatles-like singing group called the Rutles, The Rutles is a collaboration between Monty Python alumnus Eric Idle and Saturday Night Live filmmaker Gary Weis. The members of the "pre-Fab Four" are Nasty, Barry, Stig, and Dirk. There really isn't any plot, just a series of vignettes, unctuously narrated by Idle, which mercilessly skewer the Beatles mythology. Under the guidance of agent Leggy Mountbatten (before he tragically takes a teaching post in Australia), the Rutles rise to the top with such hit songs as "Please Please Let Me Hold Your Hand" and "I Am the Waitress." Mention is made of the Rutles' film successes: "A Hard Day's Rut," "Ouch!," "Tragical History Tour," "Yellow Submarine Sandwich," and "Let It Rot." We also see such career highlights as Nasty's declaration that the Rutles are more popular than God (he meant "Rod," as in Rod Stewart), the rumor that Dirk is dead (whereupon Stiggy starts his own rumor that he is dead), and Nasty's unfortunate liaison with a Yoko Ono counterpart (depicted as a Neo-Nazi dominatrix). The Rutles gains an added veneer of verisimilitude through the participation of such rock stars as Paul Simon, Mick Jagger, and Ron Wood, as well as George Harrison himself, who shows up as a BBC commentator. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Idle, Neil Innes, (more)
- 1979
Culled from a 1979 comedy concert, this sampling of the Wild and Crazy Guy at his wildest and craziest may be familiar to his older fans, but is well worth another go-round. "Happy Feet," "King Tut," the arrows and the bunny ears are all in attendance; by this time, Martin's catchphrase and stock routines were so familiar that audiences began laughing before they even occurred, sometimes shouting the lines in unison just as Martin opens his mouth. The video is rounded out with Martin's Oscar-nominated short subject, The Absent Minded Waiter. Steve Martin Live was directed by Carl Gottleib, an associate of Martin's since his days on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour writing staff. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
- R
The struggle of a has-been singer to work his way back up the charts is the focus of this drama by Robert M. Young with screenplay and music by Paul Simon. Simon plays Jonah, a once-popular singer who now opens for punk rock bands. In the ten years since he had a hit song, Jonah's wife has divorced him, but he still sees his young son as often as he can. With his record company on his back to come up with something that sells, Jonah begins to compromise his own talent when he listens to the advice of a trendy producer. Whether or not he can straighten out his personal life and steer his own ship may depend on his ability to trust his own judgment and adjust to the changing times. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Simon, Blair Brown, (more)
- 1980
This 1980 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Paul Simon and features musical guest James Taylor. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Simon, James Taylor, (more)
- 1981
Legendary vocalist Paul Simon, formerly of Simon and Garfunkel, performs to a live audience in this musical video. His stunningly beautiful voice is featured in song favorites "Sound of Silence," "One Trick Pony," and more. Live concert footage makes up the entire video, starring Simon with supporting musicians. ~ Sarah Sloboda, All Movie Guide
- 1982
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In 1981, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel -- former musical partners who had a rancorous falling-out after the success of their album Bridge Over Troubled Water -- set aside their differences and reunited for a concert tour, with the New York City date being a free concert in Central Park. The Central Park show was recorded and videotaped for later release, and this home video release presents highlights from the show, with Simon and Garfunkel performing their hits as a duo as well as several of their solo hits. Selections include "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "The Sounds of Silence," "The Boxer," "Mrs. Robinson," "Still Crazy After All These Years," and "Late in the Evening." ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1984
In this meandering, indecisive documentary on life in the turbulent Philippines a few years before dictator Ferdinand Marcos was finally thrown out of the country, director and writer Werner Schroeter covers extensive ethnic and sociological territory without presenting a coherent viewpoint or perspective that would sort it out. Interviews with experts on the religious, political, and economic situation in the country provide some background for the average viewer, but scenes of unusual religious rites tend to sensationalize rather than fairly illustrate beliefs. In the same type of exaggeration that does not seem to connect with reality, American propaganda films from World War II on the liberation of the Philippines are contrasted with film clips on Marcos' dictatorship. The viewing public may have been better served by a less theatrical and more substantial approach to this culturally complex nation. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Kermit and Fozzie find treasure in the lost episodes that include cooking lessons with a Swedish Chef and episodes from "Pigs in Space" and "Veterinarian's Hospital." ~ All Movie Guide
- 1985
Rock to the sounds of the Muppets and their special musical guests as they perform titles such as "Rock Around the Clock," "Call Me," "Rainbow Connection" and "Disco Frog." ~ All Movie Guide
- 1986
This 1986 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Catherine Oxenberg and Paul Simon and features musical guest Ladysmith Black Mambazo. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Catherine Oxenberg, Paul Simon, (more)
- 1986
This 1986 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Robin Williams and features musical guest Paul Simon. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robin Williams, Paul Simon, (more)
- 1987
- PG13
Considered one of the great box-office turkeys of its decade, Ishtar was an attempt by writer/director Elaine May and stars Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty to do a modern-day road picture in the style of the much-loved Bob Hope and Bing Crosby comedy classics. Beatty is Lyle Rogers, a dimwitted songwriter who befriends and partners with Chuck Clarke (Hoffman), who is only slightly more intelligent but every bit as untalented. Together the duo dreams of becoming a big-time lounge act, but their songs, with titles like "That a Lawnmower Can Do All That," are unintentionally hilarious. Chuck becomes suicidal, but just when it seems they'll never strike it rich, the boys are offered a shady gig at a North African hotel, entertaining U.S. troops stationed in the tiny nation of Ishtar. On their way to accept the job, Lyle, Chuck, and their blind camel are sidetracked by a mysterious woman (Isabelle Adjani) and a scheming CIA agent (Charles Grodin), who are involved in a rebellion against the country's emir. The memorable songs crafted by Chuck and Lyle were written by actor and composer Paul Williams. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, (more)
- 1987
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In 1986, Paul Simon released his album Graceland, a ground-breaking collaboration with some of South Africa's finest musicians that brought the sensuous and expressive sounds of "Township Jive" to an international mass audience for the first time. Simon then mounted an international concert tour with several of the musicians that appeared on the album, and this home video release captures the final date of the tour in 1987, in which Simon, singer Miriam Makeba, trumpeter Hugh Masekela, and vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo brought the music back to Africa for a massive outdoor concert in Zimbabwe. Selections include "The Boy in the Bubble," "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes," "You Can Call Me Al," "Homeless," "I Know What I Know," "Graceland," "Gumboots," and 11 more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1987
This 1987 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Paul Simon and features musical guests Linda Ronstadt and the Mariachi Vargas. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, (more)
- 1990
An all-star cast is included on this children's adventure that follows a search for Mother Goose by her son (Dan Gilroy) and Little Bo Peep (Shelley Duvall). ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1990
This 1990 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Dennis Hopper and features musical guest Paul Simon. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Hopper, Paul Simon, (more)
