DVD Reviews:  The Kid Stays in the Picture

The Kid Stays In The Picture is essentially a documentary chronicling the career of Robert Evans, an actor turned successful Hollywood producer. The story is told in Evans’ own words, through a voiceover accompanied by stills and film snippets over the years, and is apparently based on an “audio book” that he produced some time ago. 

It’s a candid and fascinating look into the career of an influential Hollywood type, detailing his rise and subsequent fall from grace, failed marriages and drug scandals, brushes with the law and time spent in a mental institution. It’s not at all hard for the viewer to become caught up in Evans’ tale, wondering where his career will take him next. 

This isn’t a film that will appeal to everyone, but it is definitely intriguing enough to pique the curiosity of anybody who has more than a passing interest in the inside of the Hollywood movie-making regime. 

Considering the fact that this documentary mostly comprises digitally altered still photos, and that the only film snippets are mostly from movies that are fairly old, it would be unfair to compare it to DVDs of current films. The video works perfectly well, and that is what matters. 

Similarly, given that the soundtrack consists mostly of Evans’ voice telling his life story, it can’t be expected to completely blow the viewers away. There is musical accompaniment for most of the film, and it all does the job adequately. Which is all that can really be asked for. 

The disc features a not-too-bad collection of extras to be delved into. A collection of interviews, firstly with Evans and then with a few other Hollywood insider-types offer a little more insight into the life and times of this individual, as do the later interviews with some well known celebrities including Matthew McConnoughey. Some of the interviews DO seem a little like Hollywood back-slapping though, but then maybe I’m just a tad cynical. A gag reel from the movie “Marathon Man” is semi-interesting, but ultimately fairly pointless. Other than that it’s just the theatrical trailer, and some trailers and film posters of films Evans was involved with over the years. 

The Kid Stays In The Picture is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but at the end of the day it is quite a fascinating look into the life of an influential Hollywood player. Definitely worth checking out if you want something different.