Auto Focus
Auto Focus is an intriguing biopic, and not just because of its unique subject matter, which no doubt came as a shock to middle-America upon news of Bob Crane's death (even if his reputation in show business was well-known at that point). Kinnear was born to play Crane, a likeable guy leading a likeable 1960s Hollywood life, balancing his family life with his post-Donna Reed Show radio gig when he is cast as the lead in Hogan's Heroes. He's also harboring some ordinary sexual needs that his dowdy wife isn't about to address or understand. Along comes John Carpenter (Dafoe), a video technician who latches onto Crane and leads him down a regrettable path of groupies and homemade porn videos. The tragic relationship between Crane and Carpenter is the film's backbone, with scenes that seem like they were written for an old married couple. All the things that usually break down relationships (careers, money, jealousy, fear) take this one apart, too; only this one ends with one allegedly murdering the other. Though Crane's murder was never solved, Auto Focus does a respectable job of shedding some light on the darker side of a 1960s sitcom icon.
- July 31, 2005
DVD Extras
The bonus materials include five deleted scenes with the director's commentary and two featurettes: one about the making of the film and another, slightly more interesting one about Crane's unsolved murder. The DVD also contains three commentary tracks: one with Greg Kinnear and Willem Dafoe, one with the director and one with the writer and producers.