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Viduthalai trailer: Vetrimaaran is back with another gritty film on police brutality

Directed by vetrimaaran, viduthalai is based on the short story of jeyamohan, titled thunaivan..

Director Vetrimaaran became a nationwide sensation when his 2015 film, Visaaranai, was selected as India’s official entry for the 89th Academy Awards under the category Best Foreign Language Film. Though the film didn’t make it to the final nominations, it received widespread acclaim from international film circuits. The film was a painful story of oppressed daily labourers who get arrested for no reason and are physically tortured to accept a crime they didn’t commit.

Now, Vetrimaaran is come up with another tale of such police brutality with his upcoming film Viduthalai , starring Soori and Vijay Sethupathi in the lead roles. The trailer of the film was released on Wednesday, which promises a gritty story about a hunt by the police for a people’s champion in a village.

Gautham Vasudev Menon plays the senior police official, who heads the manhunt for Perumal Vaathiyaar (Vijay Sethupathi), a vigilante fighting for people’s rights. Soori is constable Kumaresan in the film, a small cog in the giant wheel of the police structure, who is unable to stand the power abuse of the department. The trailer depicts his frustration and inability to do something about the injustice.

Though the film has Vijay Sethupathi, the film’s protagonist is Soori. Viduthalai is a departure from his usual comedy roles, and for the first time, the actor will be seen in a serious and sober character.

At the trailer launch of the film, Vetrimaaran confirmed that Vaadivaasal, his upcoming film with Suriya, will release after Viduthalai. He also confirmed that he is working on the script of Vada Chennai 2, which will surely be made.

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Viduthalai - Part 1 review: Soori steals the show in this Vetrimaaran flick

Viduthalai is a multi-layered film, held together by a gripping narrative

Nampikkai .

Trust. It can move mountains.

The name ‘Vetrimaaran’ invokes a similar faith in film buffs and actors alike. The National Award-winning filmmaker, known for critically-acclaimed films like Aadukalam , Visaranai , Vada Chennai and Asuran , has a penchant for pushing the envelope.

So, when he cast actor Soori, who is best known for comic roles in Tamil films, as the lead in Viduthalai – Part 1 , people knew Vetrimaaran had seen something in him that others had missed. In fact, Soori had revealed in an interview that they came close to working together twice in the past, but the projects had to be shelved. He went on to add that it was the director’s nampikkai that helped him realise the actor in him.

And it shows in the film, which is based on B. Jeyamohan’s Thunaivan - he doubles up as the scriptwriter, along with Vetrimaaran. Soori, as police constable Kumaresan, arrives at a remote forest base camp on the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka-Kerala border, known for violent and bloody confrontations between the police and guerrillas (named Makkal Padai, or people’s army). The police are after the outlaws and their leaders - the main target being Perumal or Vaathiyar (Vijay Sethupathi in an extended cameo).

Life in this part of the world is not all black and white, and Kumaresan learns it the hard way. A simple man with unshakeable principles, Kumaresan is drawn into the eye of the storm inevitably.

The name of the film – Viduthalai means liberation – couldn’t have been more apt. Soori is finally freed from the shackles of the comedian stereotype. He ditches his slapstick humour and mannerisms to slip into the character of Kumaresan – both physically and otherwise - and shines like never before. It’s as much a conflict of emotions as it is of ideologies and powers, and Soori essays it all beautifully.

Soori isn’t the only surprise element in Viduthalai – Part 1 . Vetrimaaran has mostly associated with actor Dhanush as the lead and music director G.V. Prakash Kumar in his films so far. (Interestingly, Kumar’s sister Bhavani Sre plays Tamilarasi, Soori’s love interest). But, this time, he not only opted for Soori as the protagonist but also brought on board legendary music director Ilaiyaraaja. The move seems to have paid off.

Viduthalai stands out for other reasons, too. One, for the brilliant cinematography by Velraj, capturing the Sathyamangalam forest in all its rustic beauty. Then, the opening scene itself is a piece of art. The tracking shot, which takes the viewer in and out of a train accident setting, is as gripping and captivating as perhaps the iconic shot in Joe Wright’s 2007 war drama Atonement . Once can see the genius that Vetrimaaran is, at work in moments like these.

Viduthalai is a multi-layered film, held together by a gripping narrative. It’s as much about police brutality, as it is about politics and ideologies (though it may seem one-sided at times). The film meanders a bit early in the second half, before picking up pace towards the end. The pulsating finish sets the stage for the next part of the film, and the post credit scenes promise more revelations and a meatier role for Sethupathi, who shines in the limited screen time he gets in this one.

Will Perumal be able to liberate the land from the clutches of the mining mafia? Which side will Kumaresan finally find himself on? Will politics prevail or will the people’s movement bring the powers that be on their knees? Will Viduthalai – Part 2 deliver a resounding answer to all these questions?

In Vetrimaaran, we trust.

Film: Viduthalai - Part 1

Language: Tamil

Director: Vetrimaaran

Cast: Soori, Vijay Sethupathi, Bhavani Sre, Gautam Vasudev Menon and others

Rating: 4/5

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Viduthalai: part i.

2023 ‘விடுதலை: பாகம் I’ Directed by Vetrimaaran

Kumaresan, a police constable, gets recruited for an operation implanted to capture Perumal Vaathiyar, who leads a separatist group dedicated to fighting against the authorities for committing atrocities against innocent village women in the name of police interrogations.

Soori Bhavani Sre Chetan Gautham Vasudev Menon Rajiv Menon Ilavarasu Munnar Ramesh Vijay Sethupathi Balaji Sakthivel Saravana Subbiah Tamizh Aryan Sardar Satya Manimegalai S. Chandran Bala Hasan Pavel Navageethan Thendral Raghunathan Sundareswaran CVC R. Ganesh Gurung Asuran Krishna R. Velraj Appukutty Surya Vijay Sethupathi

Director Director

Vetrimaaran

Co-Directors Co-Directors

Still Robert A. Jagadeesan

Additional Directing Add. Directing

R. S. Durai Senthilkumar Manimaran Tamizh Mathi Maran

Producers Producers

Elred Kumar V Manikandan

Executive Producer Exec. Producer

Writers writers.

Vetrimaaran R. S. Durai Senthilkumar Manimaran Mathi Maran

Original Writer Original Writer

Editor editor, cinematography cinematography, art direction art direction, visual effects visual effects.

Harihara Suthan

Stunts Stunts

Peter Hein Stunt Silva

Choreography Choreography

Baba Baskar

Composer Composer

Ilaiyaraaja

Songs Songs

Ilaiyaraaja Suka

Sound Sound

T. Udayakumar

R S Infotainment Grassroot Film Company

Alternative Titles

విడుదల : పార్ట్ 1, విడుదల: పార్ట్ 1, Viduthalai Partie 1

Crime Thriller Action

Crime, drugs and gangsters Intense violence and sexual transgression Violent crime and drugs Bollywood emotional dramas Show All…

Releases by Date

30 mar 2023, 31 mar 2023, releases by country.

• Theatrical A

146 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by Anurag Kashyap 9

Very powerful film, superb performances across board , the best opening shot I’ve seen in the longest time .. looking forward to part 2 .. Vetrimaran is our best .

Review by Michael James ★★★★ 6

Another immersive socio political period drama from Vetrimaaran. His craftsmanship and control over layered storytelling is simply stupendous. The police brutality, custodial violence and systemic oppression is portrayed in a disturbingly hard hitting manner. How media turn into a PR machine to the system for delivering manipulated incidents through social narratives were well depicted. The lead character perfectly resonates the common man dilemma, as he gets caught in between the struggle. The opening single shot sequence sets the tone straight away. And along with the final 20 minutes, they are two standout impact sequences.

Based upon a power struggle conflict between government and revolutionary activist groups, the first part sets up its world, emotional landscape and conflicts effectively with enough question…

Review by Barry Egan 2002 ★★★★ 1

Vetrimaaran, in glorious form once again, shows cop violence in its most brutal form yet, with Soori as the honest, powerless cop holding the narrative together. Absolutely not for the faint-hearted. Must-watch!

The opening sequence, a continuous shot, was extraordinary for the way the camera covered the entire location for a long duration, and also heartbreaking showing the loss of human lives. Vetrimaaran, from this sequence, tells the viewer, "Be prepared to get mind fucked". The scene reminded me of 'Atonement''s superb Dunkirk sequence. We then see Soori's introduction. Vetrimaaran, in an interview, said that he cast Soori due to his innocent looks. Although I thought a couple of lines were delivered as if he were a comedian, Soori, as…

Review by jack ★★★★★

vetrimaaran stop winning challenge

Review by Alicecharles ★★★★★

If someone had told me back that I would shout at the top of my lungs for a firing scene by Soori, i would have called it a joke but OH MY GOD WHAT THE FUCK !!!!!!

Review by cinema_made ★★★★ 2

The mere mention of Vetrimaran is a hypetrain for his film and Vetrimaran easily surpasses that. After a long wait, Viduthalai arrives as a special and scintillating film, that only Vetrimaran has guts to make. The film is the journey of the constable recruit, who in turn becomes rooted in the violent conflict between the police and the revolutionaries. As all the paths come together, there’s more tension and revelance of truth, that makes the character meet dark ends and change their mindsets.

Right from the start, Vetrimaaran channels the film with a strong dose of realism and raw filmmaking that keeps us in the center of the action at all times. This is definitely not a film for the…

Review by Arjun Rajput ★★★★

Vijay Sethupathi in an interrogation scene is cinema. Can't wait for the next part.

Review by joelmathew ★★★ 5

Definitely the most underwhelming Vetrimaaran film so far... although I don't know if its really fair to call it a "film" because only half the story has been told. The whole story of Vada Chennai has also not been told yet but the first film still holds on its own, this however just felt like the first half of a movie...

Also felt it was one of his weaker films technically. Vetri na is known for working on his films till literally the day before it releases. He was making dubbing corrections and changes for Vada Chennai and Asuran few days before release and this one was also no different I heard. But this time it kind of backfired. Some…

Review by Kibriya⚡ ★★★★ 9

Viduthalai was gut wrenching and gory as expected with powerful performance by Soori.  The electrifying one shot opening scene was terrific 🥵. Bring me part 2 and Vijay Sethupathi bringing fire on the screen 🔥

Cinematic parallels - Kumaresan and Desmond Doss from Hacksaw Ridge 

Vetrimaaran the real Polladhavan !

2023 Ranked Vetrimaaran Ranked

Review by Deepak Chazhoor ★★★★½ 5

Watched FDFS.

Soori is a revelation here; easily his career best yet. Vijay Sethupathi, with his terrific screen presence and powerhouse potential as an actor, makes every scene he’s featured in, though few and far between, his own. The long takes are fantastic. Ilaiyaraaja’s work here is among his finest of late; “ Kaattumalli ” is an instant favorite. Overall, yet another great work, with its focus on its hard-hitting politics and unapologetic commentary about police brutality searing as ever, from one of the greatest filmmakers of our time. Vetrimaaran never disappoints. Can’t wait for  Part II .

Review by sydney ★★★★★ 1

don't feel great about the gratuitous violence against women and how it's used here, it's not done especially offensively here but it is always frustrating to see it used as a shortcut to underline just how evil someone is and cliche to have women characters exist only as tools to move the male lead along. that said it's an incredible film, cried more than once, it's beautiful and soul crushing and i both can't wait to see the conclusion and am dreading it

Review by Jaisri Nandhini ★★★★

Love it when police brutality is ripped off of it's sugar coating Onscreen! Let's wait for the part 2!

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Viduthalai Part 1 A 'Masterpiece', Vetrimaaran 'Pride Of Tamil Cinema': Rajinikanth

Curated By : Entertainment Bureau

Local News Desk

Last Updated: April 08, 2023, 15:04 IST

Chennai, India

Rajinikanth complimented the music maestro Ilaiyaraaja and called him the king of music any day.

Calling the film a masterpiece, Rajinikanth also appreciated Soori, who played the character of honest police constable Kumaresan.

Filmmaker Vetrimaaran has received accolades for his recently released hard-hitting drama about police brutality titled Viduthalai Part 1. Cine buffs appreciated the filmmaker for directing a movie, which describes in detail the abuse of power. The recent one to praise this film is none other than superstar Rajinikanth. Thalaiva, as he is popularly called, even invited the cast and crew of Viduthalai to his home. He also appreciated Viduthalai by tweeting a note in Tamil. Loosely translated into English, the note reads that Viduthalai is a story that has never been seen before in Tamil cinema.

Calling the film a masterpiece, he also appreciated Soori’s acting who played the character of honest police constable Kumaresan. Rajinikanth complimented the music maestro Ilaiyaraaja as well and called him the king of music any day. He also tweeted that Vetrimaaran is the pride of Tamil cinema and conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to producers as well. Rajinikanth ended the note by tweeting that he is eagerly waiting for the second part of Viduthalai.

pic.twitter.com/FawO7l1oqA — Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) April 8, 2023

Social media users have appreciated Rajinikanth for boosting the confidence of Vetrimaaran and the other crew members associated with the first part of Viduthalai. A user also tweeted one of the pictures from the meeting where Rajinikanth is shaking hands with Vetrimaaran.

அனைவரையும் வாழ்த்துவதில் வானவராயனுக்கு நிகர் அவர் தான் . #SuperstarRajinikanth #Thalaivar #Rajinikanth #48YearsOfRajinism #Jailer pic.twitter.com/38YSYimNPL — 🔥தீ🔥 (@RajiniGuruRG) April 8, 2023

Another user tweeted a picture of Rajinikanth’s meeting with Vetrimaaran and tweeted that Thalaiva is a man with a golden heart and never fails to appreciate.

#Thalaivar never hesitate to appreciate ..the man of golden heart ❤️😎 pic.twitter.com/CFLJxbDisI — வானவராயன் (@Itsme0911) April 8, 2023

After these praises from none other than the most respected celebrity in the entertainment industry, cine buffs are more excited than ever for Viduthalai Part 2. According to a report published in India Today, there are only 20 days left for Viduthalai part 2’s shooting to get wrapped up.

As stated in the reports, Vetrimaaran will complete the shooting and post-production of the film soon. After completing this, he will proceed to work on Suriya’s big-budget film, Vaadivaasal. The filmmaker reportedly wants to release the second part of Viduthalai by July.

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Vetrimaaran to wrap up Viduthalai 2 before Suriya's Vaadi Vaasal

Vetrimaaran's film viduthalai part 1, starring soori and vijay sethupathi, is a big hit and the director is now focusing on the second part of the film..

Listen to Story

• Vetrimaaran has about 20 days of shoot left.
• Viduthalai Part 2 to release in 3 months.
• Vijay Sethupathi highlight of Part 2.

Vetrimaaran's latest film, Viduthalai Part 1, is a critical and commercial success. The film, starring comedian Soori and Vijay Sethupathi, has been making waves not just for Vetrimaaran's director but also Soori's acting. The movie is based on the short story called Thunaivan by Jeya Mohan and the director is shooting the film in two parts. In the first part of the film, we saw Soori play Kumaresan and the introduction of Vijay Sethupathi as Perumal. In the second part of the film, the focus will be more on Vijay Sethupathi, said reports.

VIDUTHALAI PART 2 TO RESUME SHOOT

Watch the exclusive making video of Director #VetriMaaran 's #ViduthalaiPart1 ðŸ”å https://t.co/sIo5gPYIdy #ViduthalaiPart1FromMarch31 An @ilaiyaraaja Musical @VijaySethuOffl @sooriofficial @BhavaniSre @VelrajR @DirRajivMenon @menongautham @jacki_art @GrassRootFilmCo — RS Infotainment (@rsinfotainment) March 27, 2023

Vetrimaaran reportedly wants to release Viduthalai Part 2 by July so that when he goes on sets for Vaadi Vaasal his commitment to this film is complete. The shooting is likely to resume in the next few weeks.

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Vetrimaaran to direct a two-part film with Dhanush and Jr. NTR

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Vetrimaaran confirms working with Jr NTR for upcoming film: ‘Won’t collaborate with him for star value’. Watch

Vetrimaaran will collaborate with jr ntr for an upcoming film. he spoke in hyderabad during the promotion of the telugu dubbed version of viduthalai: part 1..

Filmmaker Vetrimaaran , who has so far collaborated with Dhanush on multiple occasions, has confirmed that he will join hands with Jr NTR for a yet-untitled upcoming project. He also said that he won’t collaborate with Jr NTR for the star value but for the suitable content that would require him. (Also Read | Jr NTR's team clarifies he is not working with Dhanush in Vetrimaaran’s film; calls such reports 'absolutely false' )

Vetrimaaran, who was in Hyderabad on Tuesday to promote the Telugu dubbed version release of his latest Tamil film Viduthalai: Part 1, interacted with the media. As part of the interaction, he was asked about the rumours about working with Jr NTR .

“Collaboration will make sense to me and I will not collaborate just for the star value or the combination value. I will only collaborate for a content that will demand a star like him. So that much I can say,” Vetrimaaran said.

Several fans reacted to the video and shared their excitement over the collaboration. A person wrote, “This will be an epic collaboration. Two powerhouses coming together (sic).” Another Fan said, “Can’t wait for this project to take off (sic).”

As part of the same interaction, Vetrimaaran confirmed that he met and pitched a story idea to Jr NTR. He also added that their project will take time to take off as both of them are currently occupied with their respective assignments. Last year, reports emerged for the first time that Vetrimaaran had met Jr NTR to pitch a story idea.

Jr NTR is currently busy with the shoot of his next yet-untitled Telugu film with director Koratala Siva. Dubbed NTR 30, the project marks the Telugu debut of Janhvi Kapoor. The film will release later this year. NTR 30 was officially launched with a pooja ceremony last month.

Filmmaker SS Rajamouli, who presided over as the special guest for the program, clapped the first shot and commenced the shooting. Vetrimaaran, on the other hand, is expected to commence work on his next film Vaadivasal, which will star Suriya.

Dedicated professionals who write about cinema and television in all their vibrancy. Expect views, reviews and news. ...view detail

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Ranking All Vetrimaran Movies

• Movies or TV
• IMDb Rating
• In Theaters
• Release Year

1. Vada Chennai (2018)

Not Rated | 164 min | Action, Crime, Drama

A young carrom player in north Chennai becomes a reluctant participant in a war between two warring gangsters.

Director: Vetrimaaran | Stars: Dhanush , Ameer Sultan , Radha Ravi , Daniel Balaji

Votes: 19,567

2. Visaaranai (2015)

Not Rated | 117 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller

Four labourers are tortured by the police to confess to a theft they have not committed.

Director: Vetrimaaran | Stars: Dinesh , Samuthirakani , Anandhi , Murugadass

Votes: 12,030

3. Aadukalam (2011)

Not Rated | 160 min | Action, Drama, Romance

Falling in love with Irene as well as refusing to obey his boss Pettaikaran in a rooster fight complicates Karuppu's life.

Director: Vetrimaaran | Stars: Dhanush , Taapsee Pannu , Jayabalan , Kishore Kumar G.

Votes: 7,123

4. Asuran (2019)

Not Rated | 141 min | Action, Drama

The teenage son of a farmer from an underprivileged caste kills a rich, upper caste landlord. How the pacifist farmer saves his hot-blooded son is the rest of the story.

Director: Vetrimaaran | Stars: Dhanush , Manju Warrier , Prakash Raj , Pasupathy

Votes: 33,340

5. Viduthalai: Part 1 (2023)

Not Rated | 150 min | Action, Crime, Drama

A police officer is recruited to capture the leader of a separatist group.

Director: Vetrimaaran | Stars: Soori , Vijay Sethupathi , Bhavani Sre , S. Chandan

Votes: 8,503

6. Polladhavan (2007)

A contemporary action drama revolving around a young man's love for his bike, including the trials and travails he is forced to undergo when it goes missing.

Director: Vetrimaaran | Stars: Dhanush , Ramya , Kishore Kumar G. , Karunas

Votes: 2,507

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Louis Gossett Jr.’s Greatest Roles: A Streaming Guide

His range was wide, as evidenced by performances in projects as different as “Roots,” “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “Diggstown.”

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By Jason Bailey

When most people think of the venerable character actor Louis Gossett Jr., who died Friday at 87 , they understandably summon up his Oscar-winning turn in the 1982 drama “An Officer and a Gentleman.” But he accumulated over 200 credits over a screen, stage and television career that spanned more than 60 years, and brought a skill set that included not only drama but also comedy, science fiction, action and horror. Here are a few highlights from his illustrious career and where to stream them.

Rent or buy it on most major platforms .

Gossett had already established himself as an actor of note onstage, and in television guest shots and small but memorable appearances on film (“The Landlord,” “Skin Game”) when he was cast in the ABC mini-series adaptation of Alex Haley’s best seller. He plays the key role of Fiddler, an older enslaved man who becomes a mentor to the central character, Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton). Fiddler allows Gossett to display several of the gifts that would distinguish him throughout his career: an inherent dignity, a no-nonsense toughness and a (seemingly contradictory) warmth and humanity. The mini-series was a cultural sensation , breaking records for television viewership, and Gossett would win an Emmy for his unforgettable work.

‘An Officer and a Gentleman’

Stream it on Max ; rent or buy it on major platforms .

Gossett was 45 when he won the Oscar for best supporting actor — the first Black actor to do so — for his magnificent turn in this Richard Gere-fronted romantic drama. The role of Sergeant Foley, the drill instructor who breaks Gere’s hotshot recruit while simultaneously becoming a father figure to the young man, could have been played as a walking, talking cliché. But Gossett, who trained for the role at Camp Pendleton’s school for drill instructors, transcends the tropes of the character, investing Foley with genuine decency and unexpected warmth under his rock-hard exterior. “Mr. Gossett, always a good supporting player, is this time a star,” our critic wrote at the time .

‘Enemy Mine’

Rent or buy it on major platforms .

Had Gossett landed a role like Foley a decade earlier, he might have spent the 1970s playing an assortment of rich and complicated characters. But the 1980s were not exactly a golden era of studio filmmaking, and he struggled to find projects worthy of his considerable talents, often proving the most (or only) noteworthy element of otherwise marginal action pictures like “Iron Eagle” and “Firewalker.” But he got a genuine chance to act in this futuristic sci-fi adventure from the director Wolfgang Petersen (“Air Force One”). Dennis Quaid is an intergalactic pilot marooned on a distant planet with an alien life form; Gossett is said alien, given the unenviable challenge of acting a leading role through pounds of scaly makeup that renders him all but unrecognizable. Yet he’s up to the task, investing the character with pathos and gravitas, while our knowledge of the actor underneath lends serious symbolic weight to the film’s themes of understanding and commonality between races.

‘Diggstown’

Stream it on Tubi and PluoTV ; rent or buy it on Fandango at Home .

One of the undiscovered gems of the Gossett filmography is this sports-tinged comedy, a bit of a specialty for the director Michael Ritchie, whose credits include “Semi-Tough” and “The Bad News Bears.” James Woods is a fast-talking con man and fight promoter who descends on the Georgia town of the title, known for its high-dollar illegal boxing matches, and makes a big bet: His fighter can take on any 10 opponents in 24 hours and beat them all. Gossett is Honey Roy Palmer, the fighter, and at 48, he seems like anything but a sure bet. But in this “Sting”-style twisty tale, no one and nothing are what they seem. It’s a perfect role for the actor, who plays it with a twinkle in his eye and plenty of tricks up his sleeve, and the result is “ a funny and vulgar fable ” that our critic praised for its “speed and cheerful nerviness.”

Gossett received his final Emmy nomination (for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series or movie) for this adaptation of the wildly influential graphic novel by Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore. Series creator Damon Lindelof freely reframed, reinterpreted and remixed the narrative out of its 1980s origins to address not only the hidden corners of America’s racial history, but also the current moment of activism and protest. Gossett appears in the vital supporting role of Will Reeves, grandfather to the protagonist, Angela Abar (Regina King), whose age and wheelchair use hide a secret past: while a policeman in the late 1930s, he took on the secret identity of Hooded Justice, righting the wrongs his racist police department ignored. It’s a staggering performance, and one that speaks to the power of Gossett’s persona: You don’t doubt for one moment that this man was once a literal superhero.

‘The Color Purple’

Though he has several posthumous projects in postproduction, the final feature film appearance during Gossett’s lifetime was his brief but stinging turn in Blitz Bazawule’s adaptation of the Alice Walker story. He appears as Ol’ Mister, father to Colman Domingo’s Mister, the abusive and domineering husband who keeps the protagonist, Celie, under his thumb. In just a handful of scenes, Gossett’s work as a growling, bitter old man tells us everything we need to know about how and why the younger Mister is the way he is. Gossett shared in the nomination for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and that might be the best way to remember him: as an invaluable piece of so many ensembles, a team player who nevertheless always shined bright.

'Only Murders' fans: Steve Martin's full life on display in Apple TV+ doc 'Steve!'

For younger Americans, Steve Martin is that white-haired guy who plays pompous amateur sleuth Charles-Haden Savage in Hulu’s hit show, “Only Murders in the Building.”

What a joke. And a shame.

Fortunately, director Morgan Neville (“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”) is here to remind us of Martin’s outrageously varied 50-year career with “Steve! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces,” a nearly four-hour Apple TV+ film that delves into the keen mind and often lonely heart of a bona fide genius.

Not that Martin, 78, would agree . “I guarantee you I have no talent,” he says in the doc. “If I’d had guidance, I’d have gotten nowhere.”

But by forging his own path, Martin redefined comedy before embarking on a career as an author, playwright, movie and TV actor – and, lest we forget, a highly accomplished bluegrass banjo player.

Introspection isn’t Martin’s thing, but he warmed to Neville. “At first Steve said he wasn’t going to watch the doc,” Neville says in an interview. “Then he did, and I got a text that said, ‘Loved it. Can I show it to my shrink?’”

More revelations from “Steve!” about an American original:

Audiobook highlights: 'The Steve-ness of it all': Steve Martin talks tour with Martin Short, new audiobook

Steve Martin’s drive to succeed came partly from a search for parental approval

Martin grew up in southern California and discovered his love of performing as a teenage magician working at Disneyland. But his father, Glenn, a real estate salesman and aspiring actor, was perpetually hard to win over.

Even during Martin’s late-1970s heyday, his father’s comment after one sold-out performance was, “Here’s what was wrong with that show.”

Decades later, father and son reconnected. As Glenn lay dying, Martin wrote in a moving New Yorker story in 2007, his father turned and said: “You did everything I wanted to do.”

A girlfriend helped steer Steve Martin to his off-kilter brand of comedy

Martin idolized legends such as Jack Benny but knew a punchline-driven approach would not work for him. Then a girlfriend suggested he read, “The Razor’s Edge,” a 1944 W. Somerset Maugham novel about a spiritual quest.

Martin had two revelations: one, he would try a more philosophical approach to comedy, and two, he would “give this my all until age 30, and then become a professor of philosophy.”

Martin worked tirelessly in the early ‘70s until finally, his persona as a “comedian who thinks he’s funny but really isn’t” caught on with counterculture crowds. The dam broke in 1975. He had just turned 30.

Steve Martin arguably was the Taylor Swift of comedy in the late ‘70s, and then it ended

Between 1975 and 1980, Martin became a cultural phenomenon. His comedy records such as "A Wild and Crazy Guy” sold in the millions, and he went from playing small clubs to massive arenas.

Much like today's adoring Swifties, Martin fans showed up with his trademark arrow-through-the-head garb and spouted his catchphrase, “Well, excuuuse me!” His hosting appearances on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" became must-see TV. But by 1980, Martin realized it wouldn't last.

Says Neville: “Steve’s standup career was really performance art. So when the audiences got the joke, it was over. The moment he felt he was cresting, he decided, ‘I’m done.’ Which is a theme with him."

Steve Martin had many movie successes but was often crushed when they didn’t resonate with audiences

Over roughly 40 years, Martin has made dozens of films, including successes such as “The Jerk,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “Father of the Bride” and “L.A. Story.” In many instances, he also co-wrote the screenplays.

But “Steve!” reveals that Martin was crushed when some films struck out, including the musical “Pennies From Heaven,” for which he learned to tap dance, and “Leap of Faith,” a film about a preacher that Martin was sure would bring him acting accolades.

His obsession with success sabotaged relationships. He married his “L.A. Story” co-star Victoria Tennant in 1986, but they split without having children. “He was very, very shy,” Monty Python alum and friend Eric Idle says in the documentary. Director Frank Oz calls Martin “closed off.” Martin dove into his passion for art to stay sane.

A dream eventually led Steve Martin to embrace parenthood and a new standup life

“Steve had a dream around 1998, in which a person told him his life needed adventure,” says Neville. “But the person didn’t mean travel; she meant people. And now, years later, Steve is not such a lonely guy. He has a family, he has Marty (Martin Short), he has a (bluegrass) band. He’s surrounded by people.”

In 2007, Martin married Anne Stringfield, 51, his fact-checker at The New Yorker. In 2012, the couple welcomed daughter Mary. At Martin's request, Mary is seen only as a stick-figure drawing in “Steve!"

“I told Steve, we don’t need to see Mary, but I want people to see you as a father,” says Neville. But Martin being Martin, he can’t resist a joke. When she enters the room and embraces him, Martin quips, “Remind me your name?” When she leaves, he pats his heart.

Steve Martin’s friend Martin Short helps keep his anxieties at bay

A constant presence in “Steve!” is Short, 74, who first teamed up with Martin in “The Three Amigos” (1986), again in “Father of the Bride” (1991) and is now part of a traveling standup act with Martin as well as a co-star in “Only Murders.”

In “Steve!,” the friends are seen workshopping their act, driving around Los Angeles landmarks and biking around Santa Barbara. “Steve still has anxiety (about performing), and Marty has none,” says Neville. “As soon as Marty enters the room, Steve relaxes."

Adds Neville: “In many ways, Marty actually is the wild and crazy guy Steve pretended to be, so in a way, being with Marty is like being with his former self."

‘Star Trek 4’ Beams Up New Screenwriter: ‘The Flight Attendant’ Creator Steve Yockey (EXCLUSIVE)

By Adam B. Vary

Adam B. Vary

Senior Entertainment Writer

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• ‘Star Trek 4’ Beams Up New Screenwriter: ‘The Flight Attendant’ Creator Steve Yockey (EXCLUSIVE) 2 days ago
• The Future of ‘Star Trek’: From ‘Starfleet Academy’ to New Movies and Michelle Yeoh, How the 58-Year-Old Franchise Is Planning for the Next Generation of Fans 2 days ago

Steve Yockey , creator of the Max series “The Flight Attendant,” is joining Starfleet as the new screenwriter for “ Star Trek 4.”

Story details remain under a powerful cloaking device, but Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot still intend the project to be the final chapter for the cast that rebooted the franchise in movie theaters with 2009’s “Star Trek,” including Chris Pine (as Capt. James T. Kirk), Zachary Quinto (as Cmdr. Spock), Zoe Saldaña (as Lt. Nyota Uhura), Karl Urban (as Dr. Leonard McCoy), John Cho (as Lt. Hikaru Sulu) and Simon Pegg (as chief engineer Montgomery Scott). ( Variety first reported the news in its cover story on the future of the “Star Trek” franchise.)

Yockey’s involvement is the most promising sign of forward momentum the project has had since. The playwright started his TV writing career on the MTV series “Awkward” and “Scream,” before joining the writing staff of “Supernatural” for four seasons. His latest series, the Sandman universe adaptation “Dead Boy Detectives,” will premiere on Netflix in April.

Paramount is also developing a separate “Star Trek” project, with writer Seth Grahame-Smith (“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”) and director by Toby Haynes (“Black Mirror: USS Callister”), that would feature a new cast in a story meant as a kind of origin story for the franchise. A project with screenwriter Kalinda Vazquez (“Fear the Walking Dead”) first announced in 2021 also remains in development.

Yockey is represented by CAA and Slate PR.

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