Glenn Gould was a genius. A child prodigy turned world class pianist, he broke social boundaries and pushed the classical music establishment. He was well spoken, flamboyant and charming but what of the man behind the long coat, scarf and hat? Though the media often (if not always) chose to concentrate on Gould’s eccentricities, much was never revealed of the man behind the myth.
Over the years, documentaries and even feature films (some more straight forward and accessible than others), have tried to shed some light on the inner workings of Glenn Gould and Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould follows in that tradition using a combination of interviews, archival footage and Gould’s personal notes to shed some light on Gould’s life outside the public eye.
For the most part, Michèle Hozer and Peter Raymont’s documentary is a success, incorporating little seen footage and interviews with the people closest to Gould, from lovers to friends as well as scholars who have spent a better part of their lives studying the Canadian icon. Hozer and Raymond take a straightforward approach following Gould’s life and filling each major achievement with footage and background information that provide a more complete view of the man and the events that influenced his various projects.
The Gould connoisseur may find few new tidbits of information but for those curious about the life of one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century, Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould is a must see film, one that both entertains and wets the appetite for more.
On a side note, if Hollywood ever decided to make a biopic on Gould, I would nominate Ethan Hawke to take on the role of Gould. The two share an uncanny resemblance.
See VIFF screening schedule for show times.
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