It isn’t until the last third of the documentary that anyone says something negative about him. Even then, it only serves to add to his legend. Instead of humanizing Plimpton, it almost paints him as a tragic hero of epic proportions. And those who do admit to disparaging his work are quick to point out how wrong they were. If Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself is to be believed, he had no real detractors, only people who weren’t ready to recognize his genius in his life.
But, that being said, it is difficult to deny the man’s accomplishments. Most people, if they are aware of Plimpton, know him as a TV huckster, shilling it would seem for any company that had the financial fortitude to spring for scale rate. His list of commercial work and talk show appearances are more extensive than his bibliography. The documentary doesn’t hide the fact that he enjoyed his fame, but it also adds another layer to the story by showing where the money went. He came from wealth and privilege, and his books were best sellers.
“…a love letter to a genius.”
As such, he didn’t need these paychecks. What they were almost always used for was keeping the Paris Review afloat. The magazine gave him his first big break and helped launch the career of just about every major author of the mid-20th century.
Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself is a love letter to a genius. It gives some much-needed context to help explain his stranger pursuits, but it also over aggrandizes him. Plimpton was an extraordinary man, but a man nevertheless. While I hope one day, a more nuanced picture of him emerges, for now, this is a beautiful tribute to a legendary individual.
"…Plimpton didn't lead an extraordinary life; he lived several."
