As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect time to look back and see what stood out from a pop culture perspective.
2021 brought plenty of new documentaries our way, across all types of genres.
One of the most interesting ones has taken some time to get to us, however.
First made available on Amazon Prime Video in the States in July, Val tells the story of actor Val Kilmer, who you will have seen in everything from Top Gun to The Doors to Batman Forever to Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang to Tombstone and a great deal more besides.
A notably charismatic – and allegedly somewhat difficult to work with – performer, Kilmer has led a very interesting life, as the documentary attests.
Spanning four decades, the film is largely comprised of footage that Kilmer shot over the course of his career, having developed a passion for documenting his life from an early age.
Narrated by Kilmer's son Jack, who is also an actor, Val provides brave insight into Kilmer's struggles with throat cancer and the effect that the illness has had on both his professional and personal day-to-day.
Clip via Amazon Prime Video
Though the documentary was released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in the summer, it never made its way to the Irish version of the platform.
Thankfully, people can finally watch the film via NOW, where it will stream until Monday, 10 January, 2022.
Currently, the film holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Here's a sample of some of the glowing reviews:
"You grow surprisingly attached to Val Kilmer as this goes along, and prepared to indulge his pretentious side as he grapples for a state of grace." – Daily Telegraph
"Vibrant, quick, and alive." – New York Magazine
"An affecting and fascinating look at an extraordinary career." – Stuff
"Attuned to what's raw and heartfelt, Val reveals a Kilmer who has managed to process his identity/career not as a be-careful-what-you-wish-for story so much as a be-grateful-for-what-one-has experience." – Los Angeles Times
"It's sentimental, as obscuring as it is revealing, occasionally indulgent, offhandedly brilliant in spots and filled with oddball detours and self-regarding tangents. A perfect compliment to, and mirroring of Kilmer's career, in other words." – Rolling Stone
Val is available to watch on NOW right, er, now.
