Auto Focus (2002)

Riveting and Disturbing
I just saw this film for the second time over the weekend and must, once again, express amazement over the outstanding work that Greg Kinnear put in. I grew up watching Hogan's Heroes and I think he made an excellent Bob Crane. As for Willem Dafoe, I don't recall him ever being less than spectacular in anything I've seen. Generally when he is on camera it is impossible not to train one's eyes on him. He was a highly believable John Carpenter.

What can one say about the lives these two men led? To them having sex or any other human interaction was secondary, in terms of pleasure, to watching their act as a video recording at a later date. Their proclivities make no sense to the normal person. We watch these characters with total bewilderment. The later Crane is a bit of an everyman in relation to social outcastes, however. Regardless of his talent as an actor he has separated himself from society and their mores which prevents anyone from wanting anything to do with him. Yes, his is a wretched tale, but Auto Focus is brilliant portrait of addiction. One cannot help but feel sorry for a man who had so much yet gave it all away.

Schrader makes a good film--at last
The late, likable Bob Crane's life spirraled out of control, it seems, when fame and money came knocking.
It could happen to anyone, so we're not judging here at all. A good lesson to be learned: fame and money aren't everything...only those who are lucky (or unlucky) to be in the position, don't always handle it well.
Like I said, it could have happened to any one of us.

Crane had a certain charm, charisma...and made Hogan's Heroes a fun way to spend thirty minutes
watching The Idiot Box.

Well written and directed. Kinnear lacks the late Crane's comedic timing, otherwise does what is required to pull off the role. Dafoe has the slimey, slippery character he portrays down pat.

I really think its not relevant to the man.
I really enjoy Hogans Hereos . I think we all have things that we are not willing to share no matter how minor. I think this really boils down to a person just being taken advantage of after death. Isnt that how it always is . A person dies and the media starts to have fun poking at him or her. Its not important wether he was wrong or right . Do any of us have any room to talk. I was angry at what Disney did to him. Expecially when on my last trip to Disney World myself wife and kids had to watch two men making out in the line for the ride . Disney did not bother to say anything to that. Our only choice was to leave the line. They shunned him for being hetrosexual. Mr. Cranes activities were not for the family mind you but dont call the kettle black.