'Filmworker' explores obsession of working for an obsessive genius

Stanley Kubrick is a director whose work inspires almost cult-like devotion and endless fascination -- and its easy to see why. He made, compared to his cinematic peers, a relatively small number of films -- each incredibly precise, distinct  and undeniably effective. There is no major misfire in the bunch. But there was a unsung hero behind several of them.

Leon Vitali, an actor who has a lot of promise (and who played a pivotal role in Kubrick's Barry Lyndon) but who gave up his career to become a full-time jack-of-all trades assistant to his cinematic idol.

Vitali calls himself a 'film worker' -- and an insightful new documentary (also titled Filmworker) shows that the description is apt since he wore so many hats for the temperamental genius director, from casting to the restoration of prints of all his films so they met with his exacting standards.

It was largely unheralded, unglamorous work, which is why outside of a few passionate cinephiles, Vitali's life's work has largely gone unappreciated. After Kubrick's death in 1999, he was gradually isolated by the director's studio of choice, Warner Bros., and eventually has to be financially supported by his grown children just to make ends meet.

For Kubrick fans, Vitali's work is invaluable. Not only did he help make iconic, crucial casting decisions for films like Full Metal Jacket and The Shining, but he also tirelessly worked to make sure that all subsequent screenings and reissues of Kubrick's films were of a quality that his idol and the fans.

Of course, Kubrick demanded so much of his team, his audience, and himself -- and the toll it took on Vitali is all over his face and his body. Once an attractive rising star, he now is frail and haggard shell of his former self and there is a distinct air of melancholy about him.

It's a particularly bittersweet moment when a major exhibit opens paying tribute to the late Kubrick made no effort to include him, and he opts to give tours to film students for free.

It's a shame that Vitali is so unsung because he is a striking, compelling presence. He has a rich, sonorous voice, and a gentle grumpiness about him. He is very frank about Kubrick, who he clearly enjoying a loving friendship with, but who could also be a relentless taskmaster who demanded perfection and offered faint praise.

There are few modern filmmakers who can imagine inspiring this kind of slavish commitment, and if you're not a passionate fan of Kubrick's work, Vitali's decision to abandon acting to work for him full time may seem foolhardy, but I found it inspiring.

My own curiosity is why Vitali never tried a hand at filmmaking himself, having studied at the feet of a master for nearly 25 years, I imagine the wealth of knowledge and skill he has is unprecedented, and yet he has selflessly decided to hand his legacy over to someone else, who is sadly with us no more.

And this is yet another strong entry in a banner year for documentaries. I don't know the backstory on this one, why the filmmakers decided to investigate Vitali and his massive role in the Kubrick canon, but I'm thrilled they did. Not unlike recent docs on RBG and Mister Rogers, its not exactly an expose. Besides suggesting that his work for Kubrick took precious time away from his family, this is not a film that indicts Vitali, or for that matter Kubrick.

Still, it's worth seeing if you are a fan of Kubrick, who remains a very mysterious figure, and are looking to understand more about what made the man tick and how he operated. Turns out he wasn't just this Machiavellian figure -- he could also be warm-hearted, funny and thoughtful -- and his dedication to his craft could be infectious, so much so that Vitali still carries a flame for his output to this day.