I’ve been infatuated with the work of Frank Gehry ever since the groundbreaking of the Peter B. Lewis building on the campus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. I was quite excited to see a three-night run of this film at the Polk Theatre this past weekend and eagerly anticipated viewing the film.
A hard-hitting, in-depth documentary, this is not. Sketches of Frank Gehry is a collection of Gehry’s coffee talk with director Sydney Pollack, a friend and admirer if Gehry and his work.
Ultimately, what made this film for me was the moment when Gehry confided that he could easily have been a pilot, if not for a few chance events and encouragers in his youth. It is striking, how fragile our futures are and Pollack reminds us of the uncertainties in our own lives.
If you are at all interested in the work of one of the most discussed architects in modern history (not to deny the greatness or relevance of F.L.Wright, I.M. Pei, et al), take a moment to enjoy this film. And do yourself the favor of visiting a Gehry building or two.