I went to see Sketches of Frank Gehry last night since it looked interesting, and for the most part it was a very good film. It provides an intimate and at times fascinating portrait of Gehry's work process and personal history. There are a few low points, however. The lowest point in the film is that which discusses Gehry's critics. There's only one actual critic interviewed, and he damns the architect with faint praise more than anything. The rest of the segment consists of Gehry's admirers complaining that his critics just don't get it and are doomed to be forgotten by history. The ego-stroking was so blatant here that it was actually sort of nauseating. Director Sydney Pollack's friendship with Gehry helps lend the proceedings a sense of intimacy that both helps and hinders the film. It allows the viewer to get a more personal portrait of Gehry than a more detached approach would allow, but it's also no doubt responsible for the self-indulgent cheerleading it descends into at its worst moments.

I'm not saying I didn't like the movie. It was enjoyable, thought-provoking, and had some beautiful architectural shots. At its best, the movie is a fascinating look into the mind of an intensely creative man. It's worth seeing, certainly. It would have been a lot stronger, though, if they'd just ignored the criticism rather than making such a weak attempt at addressing it.