Bill Cunningham New York (2010)

IMDb plot summary: A profile of the noted and extraordinarily cheerful veteran New York City fashion photographer.
Directed by Richard Press.

I don't watch a lot of documentaries, but this was a particularly engaging one. The topic of fashion and the elitism of the field was far less interesting to me, however, than the personality of Bill Cunningham himself. The filmmakers follow him around on his bike as he takes picture both on the streets and at swanky charity events, interview previous collaborators and models, and look back on his career and where it all began. Throughout it all Cunningham is an unbelievably cheerful and open about his obsession for fashion, an obsession that makes absolutely everything else in his life not worth pursuing. Even with this tiny glimpse into the fashion world, it's clear that his optimism and integrity set him apart from just about everyone else there, and it's fascinating to hear him talk about how this seemingly insubstantial interest has not only given him joy throughout his life but influenced and been influenced by his moral values as well. As documentaries go, this is a compelling one.

3.5 stars.

How it entered my Flickchart:
Bill Cunningham New York > The Fortune Cookie
Bill Cunningham New York < Rurouni Kenshin
Bill Cunningham New York > A Separation
Bill Cunningham New York < Hamlet (2009)
Bill Cunningham New York < The Thin Man
Bill Cunningham New York > Grosse Pointe Blank
Bill Cunningham New York > Don Jon
Bill Cunningham New York > Divergent (why is that so high up?)
Bill Cunningham New York > The Birds
Bill Cunningham New York > Rosemary's Baby
Bill Cunningham New York < Duck Soup
Final spot: #823 out of 2390.