Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story is a beautiful and heartwarming documentary that explores the lives and careers of two unsung heroes of the film industry, Harold and Lillian Michelson. The film tells the story of their beautiful relationship, from their early days in the movie business to their later years, and the love for each other and their craft that sustained them through it all.
The documentary begins with an overview of Harold and Lillian's backgrounds, as well as their first meeting over 60 years ago. Harold was a storyboard artist and production designer who worked on some of the most iconic films of the 20th century, such as The Ten Commandments, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and The Birds. Meanwhile, Lillian spent her career as a Hollywood researcher, with her work helping to shape some of the most recognizable films of all time, including Fiddler on the Roof, E.T., and The Graduate.
As the film progresses, it becomes clear how integral Harold and Lillian were to the success of many of the films they worked on. Harold, for instance, often served as the go-to person for directors looking to storyboard their films, with his work helping to shape the visual landscape of some of the most iconic movies of all time. Meanwhile, Lillian's research helped directors and producers bring a sense of authenticity and detail to their films, bringing in historical and cultural accuracy to the scenes.
The film also beautifully explores the bond between Harold and Lillian, both professionally and personally. They ed each other in their work, with Lillian often helping Harold with his storyboards and research, while Harold constantly praised Lillian's skills as a researcher. Beyond this, they clearly had a deep love and iration for each other, which is beautifully captured in the many intimate photos and home movies that are included throughout the film.
One of the standout elements of the film is the insights provided by the many Hollywood luminaries who knew and worked with Harold and Lillian. Figures like Francis Ford Coppola, Mel Brooks, and Danny DeVito offer up their personal anecdotes and reflections, offering a unique and fascinating look at the people who helped shape some of the greatest movies of all time.
Overall, Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story is a captivating documentary that will leave you feeling moved and inspired. It's a tribute not only to the incredible talent and hard work of two unsung heroes of the film industry, but also to the power of love and in sustaining a lifelong partnership. The film leaves you with a sense of joy and gratitude for the contributions that Harold and Lillian made to the cinematic landscape, and a newfound appreciation for those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make movies as great as they can be.
Harold And Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 75.