From his early days peddling park pamphlets at Disneyland to conquering standup stages and then gracing the silver screen, Steve Martin’s unique brand of humor has delighted audiences for decades. Now, in a revealing two-part documentary by Morgan Neville on Apple TV+, Martin reflects on his life and career, offering insights into his comedic genius, the highs and lows of fame, and the evolution of his comedic style.
STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces
Part One: The Rise of a Comedic Legend
Part one of the documentary takes a fascinating deep dive into Martin’s formative years. Over archive clips and nostalgic family photos, Martin’s sonorous voice narrates a tale of ambition and struggle. Growing up under the critical eye of a strict father fueled Martin’s drive to break into the world of standup comedy. His influences are refreshingly revealed to include Disneyland itself– he spent countless hours absorbing the park’s whimsical energy and soaking up the slapstick antics of Golden Horseshoe Revue comedian Wally Boag. The influence of these early experiences on his “arrow through the head” and balloon-twisting routines is a delightful discovery.
His 15-years as a struggling standup illustrate his unyielding determination. Martin’s eventual rise to stadium-level success on iconic shows like The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson was a testament to his unique, offbeat brand of humor that captivated American audiences.
Part Two: Hollywood, Reinvention, and the Pursuit of Perfection
As the documentary shifts focus to Martin’s cinematic career in part two, a notable change occurs. Gone is the first-person voiceover, replaced by intimate interviews, often in his own home, with Martin alone or alongside his wife, Anne Stringfield, or comedic partner Martin Short. This format evokes a sense of candid intimacy, as Martin muses on the more complex, often less successful, phases of his film career after leaving the ‘wild and crazy’ standup era behind.
While Martin has been prolific, earning box-office success, he admits the quality has been uneven. His disappointment with the reception of films like ‘Pennies From Heaven’ reveals a sensitivity to criticism and a relentless perfectionism. He’s introspective about his trajectory, admitting that perhaps his move away from standup resulted in work that was, in some ways, less mature and innovative.
An Enduring Enigma
This documentary paints a compelling portrait of a complex figure. Martin’s deadpan delivery and self-contained stage persona translate to onscreen coolness, even in his zaniest moments. Despite offering greater access to his personal life, he remains somewhat elusive —a fascinating contradiction. The lack of details surrounding his family life or the deeper impact of his father’s harshness leaves some emotional questions unanswered. Perhaps this is intentional, preserving a bit of the enigmatic distance that is intrinsic to his appeal.
Despite these minor omissions, the documentary does a fine job of showcasing Martin’s singular talent. While the film might not fully explain the ‘lightning-in-a-bottle’ magic of his legendary standup era, it provides a valuable look at the evolution of a comedy icon whose work continues to inspire. His recent success with ‘Only Murders in the Building’, alongside Martin Short, proves his creative spark burns as brightly as ever.