I was in the audience that day in May 1977 to see the opening of the first Star Wars film. I remember the build-up to it in the press, and the well-deserved hype afterwards. This film chronicles a young filmmaker's love of the craft and eventual entry into the industry - ignited by his viewing of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

You might not have heard of Patrick Read Johnson before this film, which unfortunately is a self-indulgent puff-piece by a director with anaverage career. And while Johnson is no Spielberg, in this film he supposedly meets a young Spielberg, the latter being depicted as an annoying know-it-all.

As a director, Johnson ***should*** be aware of the importance of editing. Sure, this film took a long time to make, but Johnson is not objective enough to tightly edit his own story. At a little over 2 hours, the film really drags in the last hour. This could have been 90 minutes (tops) and still conveyed the same story and message.

Of course, there are few directors with enough fame (or vanity) to make their own biographical films. Spielberg did it in 2022 with The Fablemans, and Neil Simon and Philip Roth did it as writers (not as directors). Woody Allen does cherry-pick biographical bits to put in his films, but not a complete life story. Really, there just are not that many directors who do this - not Martin Scorsese, not John Huston, not Richard Donner, not Christopher Nolan, not Quentin Tarantino, etc. The list goes on and you can kind of see why.

First, a personal story like this does not always have wide audience appeal. Second, it may come off as a self-indulgent and vain. And third, if you aren't a household name (and sorry, Patrick Read Johnson just isn't), chances are the box office potential will be very low.

In the end, 5-25-77 isn't offensive but it does commit two cardinal sins - it is not memorable, and it is boring in parts. While some liked it, I'm glad I watched it at home and didn't pay for a ticket. I was close to Johnson's age and went through many of the same things he tried to depict in his film. But there are better and more well-known coming-of-age films already out there. His film just doesn't rise to that level. Sorry, Pat.

After 8 year old Pat Johnson watches the film 2001: A Space Odyssey in the theater, he becomes obsessed with filmmaking. As a teen, he (John Francis Daley) has been making movies with his friends and family in his backyard in small town Illinois. With help from his mother (Colleen Camp), he sets off to meet his hero in Hollywood.

This movie is too long. It should not be longer than two hours. It's really noticeable in the third act where all I want is for him to get to the theater. At least, Bill points out that he could have walked there by then and that's a good save. Linda becomes way too complicated and I would cut down on Tony. This movie needs to trim at every opportunity. Second, Bill's constant complaining is too annoying. It's frustrating and robs his later declaration of all its power. Finally, John Francis Daley is well into his 30's. It's time that he graduates from Freaks and Geeks. Mostly, this could be better but it still some good ideas.

I honestly did not know this movie existed. Despite people use physical media less and less. I still do. I actually still use my local library to look for titles I've never seen. Something anyone who has memories of video stores remember doing and looking at the box cover and renting the movie to see for themselves if the movie was as good as the box art.

I have to say after watching this movie nearly 20 years in the making, it is a good movie. I understand others who complain it's too long. But I think its just right for what it is. It at minimum is a companion piece to "The Fabelmans" if not superior to it.

I'll end with do check out if your local library still has Blu-rays and DVDs to rent. When you do, you are supporting your local library and actually ensuring your librarians will be funded if the community is using resources they provide.

Support your local library.