Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Exclusive: Paul Simon Doc Does a “Deep Dive” Into Garfunkel Relationship But Former Partner Not Interviewed

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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.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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