“Val” Review
In “Val,” Val Kilmer sifts through thousands of hours of footage that he shot over decades to tell his life’s story and what he wants for his future.
“Val” is not your typical documentary. Instead of being mainly shot with modern cameras and utilizing a lot of interviews, the film feels small and personal which makes it one of the best documentaries about the film industry and what it means to be an artist. “Val” is an unbelievably triumphant film that focuses on one of the biggest movie stars of the last few decades while shining a light on his more sensitive side.
Telling the story of Val Kilmer, the film utilizes thousands of hours of footage that Kilmer shot over the years from Super 8 boyhood home movies to behind the scenes footage shot on camcorders. From his years as a theater actor to his days as a box office sensation in films like “Top Gun,” “The Doors,” “Tombstone,” “Batman Forever” and “Heat,” Kilmer constantly tries to redefine himself as an artist and explore other avenues. The film also shows Kilmer’s struggles with throat cancer which, while making a full recovery, has rendered his speech impaired. While Kilmer does provide dialogue and interviews throughout the documentary, the film is largely narrated by Kilmer’s son Jack which results in an even more personal film.
What makes “Val” so interesting is how Kilmer was at the top of his game as a movie star but, after the 90s, started to act in more personal and smaller projects. It’s clear watching the film that, while Kilmer enjoyed and was successful at being a big star, his heart was always dedicated towards smaller scale theatrical productions which is what the film is truly about. Besides being a life’s story, there’s a large focus towards his one-man show “Citizen Twain” starring Kilmer as Mark Twain, one of America’s finest writers.
Being able to see an intimate portrait of Kilmer through his own footage does a much better job than any amount of interviews ever could. While I would be lying if I said that I was always a Val Kilmer fan, I have loved a lot of his films and watching “Val” gave me an enhanced appreciation of his work.
The behind-the-scenes footage Kilmer shot gives a new look at several famous films as well as the infamous film “The Island of Dr. Moreau” which saw Kilmer working with his idol Marlon Brando only to be given a director who was unwilling to take the time to work with his actors, resulting in a production from hell. This particular part of the film shows just how difficult it is to be an actor and how working in the film industry is both one of the most rewarding and one of the most difficult in the world.
After a series of box office hits, Kilmer has gravitated towards more personal projects including playing Mark Twain in a one-man show.
Throughout the film, modern-day Kilmer is shown at conventions and events greeting fans which proves to be tear-inducing for two reasons. When he sees people handing him posters of his 80s and 90s films to sing, he feels that he’s reliving his old career and is not reaching people with his new projects. However, rather than be humiliated, he feels grateful in the end because he has fans that care about him and his work. People still come to see his plays and smaller films and, several times in the film, fans tell him that they’re so glad that he’s recovered from throat cancer.
While the film pulls no punches when discussing Kilmer’s illness, “Val” doesn’t ask you to feel sorry for Kilmer because Kilmer feels well and is still able to act. Within recent months, there have been successful efforts to recreate Kilmer’s voice with AI technology and, this fall, Kilmer will reprise his role as Iceman in “Top Gun: Maverik.” Kilmer also continues to try and secure funding for a full-fledged biopic about Mark Twain.
While his voice may be altered, Kilmer is healthy and still able to do the thing that he loves the most: acting. It reminds me of the documentary “Life Itself” which chronicles the life of film critic Roger Ebert who lost part of his jaw and his voice to thyroid cancer. However, he also could still do the thing he was best at: writing. “Val” asks us not to pity Kilmer or make him out to be an acting god, it asks us to view him as a person who has dedicated himself to perfecting his craft and it’s hard not to admire that.
“Val” is such an uplifting film that offers a very personal look at a truly fantastic actor. It’s such an intimate portrayal of an artist and it’s a powerful piece of cinema.
