First Hit: I knew nothing of Bill before the film and now I want to read every New York Times “On The Street” article that comes out.
What is it like to watch someone be fully who they are, then realize he’s been this way for years and years?
Amazing! Not that I would or could do what he does, but watching someone loving what they do and that they do it all the time is awe-inspiring.
When the film begins Bill is one of the very few people still living in a rent controlled Carnegie Hall apartment. He has no kitchen, no bathroom and the very small space is filled with file cabinets except for a very small platform bed where Bill sleeps.
Each day he is out on his bicycle looking for today’s style which he believes lives “On The Street”. He also writes a society column for the New York Times. He doesn’t care about money; he only cares about fashion and real fashion as he sees it. Bill shuns publicity and honors although in the film we see him get an award in Paris and his office mates give him a birthday party.
At 82 or 83 very few people know much about his personal life. The film makes an attempt to uncover some information, but not a lot is given.
What we do learn is that eats out always, he goes to church every Sunday; he has had 27 bicycles, and loves fashion.
Richard Press does an outstanding job of filming this wonderful view of an amazing man’s life. I cannot say anything more than – absolutely wonderful.
Overall: This was an amazing film, no two ways about it.