The great documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney will show his Paul Simon film, “In Restless Dreams,” today in Toronto. Simon will come and do a Q&A when it’s over, and maybe even play a song or two on his guitar.
The film is 209 minutes and I’m told includes everything and everyone except one person: Art Garfunkel.
The celebrated former partner of Simon declined to be interviewed by Gibney. But I’m told he’s definitely in the film as Gibney did a deep dive into the long, contentious relationship between the musicians.
There is deep resentment on both sides despite the two growing up together and having unparalleled success. Garfunkel is especially sore about Simon going out on his own in 1972 musically, also taking all the songwriting credit for their collaborations. Garfunkel gets no remuneration for the publishing of songs like Bridge Over Troubled Water and The Sound of Silence.
Simon is just as angry with Garfunkel. He resented his partner going off to make movies — he was great in “Carnal Knowledge” and “Catch 22” in 1970-72, which added to the division.
They’re each their own worst enemies, which I’m told comes out pretty clearly in the film. I can’t wait to see “In Restless Dreams,” which is also playing next month at the Hamptons Film Festival — where Simon will also appear.
