Cannes 2021: Val Kilmer Documentary ‘Val’ is Fantastic Look at a Life
Cannes 2021: Val Kilmer Documentary ‘Val’ is Fantastic Look at a Life
by Alex Billington
July 11, 2021
“I’ve wanted to tell a story about acting for a very long time… About the place where you end, and the character begins. About truth… and illusion.” How do you put together an entire life into one film? How do you tell that story and make it meaningful? Val is a documentary about the actor Val Kilmer, made by Val and his son Jack Kilmer, and co-directed by Ting Poo & Leo Scott. After an extensive acting career, Val went quiet. Now we know that has spent the last few years fighting and then recovering from throat cancer, but is now left with a hole in his throat and a completely different voice due to the chemotherapy. So, as he says in the film, “now that it’s more difficult to speak, I want to tell my story more than ever. A story about my life.” And that’s exactly what we get. Val is wonderfully candid journey through the life of an actor. It’s so rich and so full of love, and so profoundly honest. One of the very best films at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival so far.
Whatever you may have “heard” about Val Kilmer’s life before watching this documentary is irrelevant. This is the definitive story, not only because it’s told my Val himself, but also because it’s the truth. His goal is not to address any hearsay, but to take us back through his life as an actor. He has been making videos and filming his life on video cameras since he was a young boy, holding onto all the footage and all the audition tapes and everything over the years. Directors Ting Poo and Leo Scott, in collaboration with Val Kilmer and also his son Jack Kilmer, have created an astoundingly warm and welcoming portrait of Val’s life. He was one of the youngest students accept to Julliard. Then they go through his breakout years early on – major roles including Top Gun and Batman and The Doors and Tombstone. Eventually reaching his later years, culminating in a roadshow tour performing on the stage as Mark Twain before being struck down by cancer.
One of the best parts of the film is having his son Jack Kilmer narrating as Val throughout. It’s a brilliant choice. This decision feels entirely natural, obviously Val wanted him to do it, and brings extra emotion and beauty to the entire documentary. Obviously we know it isn’t Val speaking, because he can’t really speak the way he used to anymore. And instead of casting someone else or bringing in someone who can imitate the way he used to sound – having Jack read the narration turns this film into something timeless, something more meaningful as it transcends the concept of “a story about an actor” and becomes a story about a father, about a family man, about someone who tried to live a good life. Maybe he didn’t always succeed, maybe he made some mistakes, maybe he was too dedicated to his performances. But he tried and did his best to bring his best to the world – on screen and with his family. It’s not just a biopic, it’s about the truth of living a life. What that means, of course, is very personal to Val and his experiences, but that’s exactly what they explore.
There is a wealth of amazing behind-the-scenes footage shared in this documentary from so many of Val’s films (including the doomed Island of Dr. Moreau) but it’s all his home footage that really moved me. To tears at times. Along with his openness to show himself as he is now after beating throat cancer. I love how personal and yet inviting this film is. I love how much Val takes us on this journey through decades of time not to hit us over the head with wisdom or proclamations about failure, but to make us realize that an individual’s life built around taking from a bit of every experience and growing with every experience. His ultimate question is: how do you figure yourself out when you’re acting all the time as a job? And what do you make of an entire life when looking back on all of it. How do you make sense of your regrets? But also your success? How much of his life is the true Val Kilmer, and how much is Hollywood? There is no clear answer, of course, because as everyone loves to say: its the not the destination, It’s the journey that matters.
Alex’s Cannes 2021 Rating: 9 out of 10
Follow Alex on Twitter – @firstshowing / Or Letterboxd – @firstshowing
purchase fenofibrate online fenofibrate 200mg oral buy tricor paypal
order zaditor online generic geodon 40mg buy generic tofranil
precose 50mg price micronase over the counter buy generic fulvicin
mintop cost buy ed pills generic buy erectile dysfunction medications
purchase aspirin online order imiquimod generic buy imiquad without a prescription
buy generic dipyridamole online pravastatin sale pravachol 10mg usa
purchase melatonin generic meloset 3mg uk danazol 100mg brand
buy generic fludrocortisone online loperamide 2mg cost buy loperamide 2 mg pills
purchase prasugrel pill detrol without prescription buy cheap generic detrol
order etodolac 600mg without prescription oral pletal buy cilostazol 100 mg online
ferrous sulfate 100 mg cheap betapace 40 mg uk purchase sotalol pills
mestinon 60 mg usa how to buy piroxicam cost maxalt
order vasotec 5mg without prescription enalapril 10mg brand where can i buy duphalac
order betahistine 16 mg for sale probenecid 500 mg brand buy benemid 500mg without prescription
purchase xalatan sale buy capecitabine medication exelon 6mg cheap
omeprazole to treat esophagus singulair 5mg canada brand metoprolol 50mg
premarin 600 mg canada dostinex 0.25mg oral sildenafil 100mg oral
order micardis 80mg pill order hydroxychloroquine generic molnunat 200mg usa
cenforce over the counter order naprosyn 250mg online order aralen 250mg online cheap
tadalafil uk cialis 5mg for sale purchase sildenafil sale
buy cefdinir 300mg generic cefdinir 300mg drug prevacid for sale online
modafinil generic purchase provigil buy generic deltasone 10mg
buy isotretinoin 40mg online cheap buy amoxil pills order azithromycin 250mg
order atorvastatin 20mg without prescription amlodipine 5mg oral order amlodipine generic
azithromycin price order gabapentin 100mg online cheap buy gabapentin 600mg
order generic protonix 20mg order pantoprazole online phenazopyridine 200mg generic
spins real money online real money slots where can i buy furosemide
buy amantadine without a prescription buy avlosulfon 100mg purchase aczone generic
recommended you read online casino games for real money ivermectin 4 mg
real money games augmentin ca levothyroxine oral
methylprednisolone 16 mg without a doctor prescription order aristocort generic triamcinolone generic
order clomid clomiphene without prescription order imuran 25mg
order levitra 10mg without prescription order tizanidine generic buy tizanidine generic
order perindopril 4mg generic aceon 8mg uk where can i buy allegra
cheap dilantin 100mg purchase phenytoin pill buy oxybutynin
order generic claritin claritin 10mg us buy generic dapoxetine
buy amaryl medication buy glimepiride 4mg online buy etoricoxib medication
alendronate 35mg tablet purchase alendronate pills oral furadantin 100 mg
propranolol usa order ibuprofen 400mg clopidogrel canada
brand pamelor buy generic paracetamol paracetamol over the counter
order xenical 120mg generic buy orlistat paypal purchase diltiazem online cheap
buy coumadin 2mg pills buy maxolon paypal reglan for sale online
how to buy azelastine azelastine medication irbesartan online
pepcid 20mg for sale famotidine us purchase tacrolimus pill
cost nexium purchase nexium sale buy topamax without prescription
zyloprim online buy order temovate for sale rosuvastatin ca
imitrex 50mg for sale order imitrex 50mg online cheap how to buy dutasteride
order buspar 5mg generic cheap zetia 10mg amiodarone cost
buy ranitidine generic order mobic 7.5mg sale order celecoxib generic
purchase motilium pill buy coreg 6.25mg generic cost sumycin 500mg
buying a research paper need help writing a paper write me a paper
sildenafil 50mg canada aurogra brand estradiol 1mg price
forcan pill buy cipro pills for sale buy generic cipro for sale
buy lamotrigine 50mg sale mebendazole 100mg cheap buy generic vermox for sale
metronidazole without prescription flagyl 400mg drug keflex 250mg cheap
oral cleocin order cleocin 300mg pill order sildenafil pills
tadacip 10mg brand purchase diclofenac online cheap buy indocin 75mg online cheap
tamoxifen uk symbicort for sale online buy generic symbicort online
buy generic terbinafine over the counter best free slots real money free poker online games
order generic trazodone 50mg suhagra 50mg usa clindamycin us
academic writing services uk essay writing 350 words on love buy cefixime online cheap
order aspirin pills free casino poker online for real money
how to write a hiring letter research papers writing play poker online for real money
order generic trimox 250mg order trimox 500mg generic buy biaxin 250mg for sale
rocaltrol price trandate order fenofibrate 160mg sale
buy catapres 0.1 mg pill buy clonidine for sale order spiriva 9 mcg without prescription
list of acne medications oxcarbazepine for sale oral trileptal 300mg
cost minocycline 50mg minocycline 50mg us ropinirole ca
alfuzosin generic is claritin stronger than benadryl strongest otc heartburn medicine
order femara 2.5 mg without prescription buy cheap albenza abilify 30mg brand
uksleepingpillsonline.com cheapest prescription weight loss medication prescription weight loss pills
provera 10mg tablet buy provera online buy microzide 25 mg generic
prescription pills to stop smoking how do pain killers work uk list of standard painkillers
buy periactin paypal cyproheptadine 4mg pills where can i buy nizoral
buy cymbalta 20mg generic buy provigil 200mg pill modafinil 200mg generic
promethazine medication buy promethazine sale ivermectin 12 mg without a doctor prescription
is erosive gastritis serious class i antiarrhythmic drugs examples bacteria causing uti in females
buy prednisone 10mg generic order amoxil 500mg generic order amoxil 250mg sale
birth control prescription refill semen volume pills reviews premature ejaculation patient information
buy azithromycin 250mg sale order azithromycin for sale neurontin cheap
h2 antagonist drugs list remedy for excessive farting foods that cause flatulence list
where can i buy urso buy zyban 150mg without prescription zyrtec 5mg canada
order strattera 10mg online cheap quetiapine tablet buy zoloft 100mg pill
buy furosemide 40mg sale order doxycycline online albuterol inhalator us
buy lexapro without a prescription buy naltrexone 50 mg without prescription buy naltrexone 50mg pills
augmentin 625mg ca levothyroxine order buy generic clomiphene 50mg
buy ipratropium order combivent order zyvox 600 mg sale
levitra 10mg tablet buy vardenafil 10mg sale order generic plaquenil 400mg
buy nateglinide 120mg online brand captopril candesartan 16mg drug
order cenforce generic chloroquine for sale online glucophage 1000mg for sale
oral carbamazepine 200mg tegretol ca buy lincocin 500mg pill
buy generic atorvastatin 10mg amlodipine 5mg for sale lisinopril oral
where can i buy cefadroxil duricef 250mg usa epivir ca
brand omeprazole 10mg metoprolol online order buy generic tenormin over the counter
buy omeprazole 20mg online buy generic prilosec 20mg buy atenolol 50mg sale
cabergoline 0.25mg without prescription buy claritin order dapoxetine 60mg
buy depo-medrol online purchase clarinex pills order generic clarinex 5mg
purchase cytotec for sale buy xenical 120mg generic order diltiazem online
order piracetam cost clomipramine 50mg clomipramine 25mg cheap
zetia 10mg us buy ezetimibe 10mg online cheap sumycin 250mg canada
zyprexa generic purchase bystolic generic buy diovan 160mg online cheap
order cyclobenzaprine online cheap cyclobenzaprine sale toradol price
best cure for teenage acne isotretinoin 10mg uk prescription medication for adult acne
Elated, I’ve come to this stage with this irresistible narrative, big thanks to the author!
behind the counter allergy medicine buy zaditor 1 mg without prescription does benadryl make you sweat
what are some nausea medications order roxithromycin online cheap
best sleep aid at walgreens provigil 200mg drug
prednisone order online prednisone 40mg sale
This is really impressive. You have great talent.
anti nausea medication brand names cost amaryl
I’m wondering if the author still writes for the blog. We need more content on this topic!
Well done on the article! The content is informative, and I believe adding more images in your upcoming pieces could be beneficial. Have you thought about that?
Well done! Your article is both informative and well-structured. How about adding more visuals in your upcoming pieces? It could enhance the overall reader experience. ️
permanent acne removal treatment generic zovirax popular prescription acne medication
Captivating article, highly endorsed!
top rated pill for itching order fexofenadine generic allergy medications for itching skin
prescription antacid medication list oral irbesartan 150mg
buy isotretinoin 20mg pills accutane brand oral accutane
buy amoxicillin 500mg generic order amoxil 250mg amoxil medication
buy sleep medications online provigil generic
order azithromycin 500mg generic zithromax 250mg usa azithromycin 250mg price
gabapentin uk order neurontin generic
buy furosemide 100mg sale cheap lasix 40mg
order omnacortil generic buy generic omnacortil online buy prednisolone online
amoxil brand amoxil 250mg uk amoxicillin 1000mg canada
doxycycline usa order doxycycline for sale
albuterol inhalator buy online buy albuterol no prescription purchase ventolin online cheap
amoxiclav ca augmentin 1000mg usa
levothyroxine uk levothyroxine pills levothyroxine tablet
oral levitra vardenafil 20mg brand
buy generic clomid order clomid pills buy clomid 100mg generic
tizanidine 2mg drug order tizanidine online cheap purchase tizanidine pills
semaglutide 14mg price order semaglutide 14mg sale rybelsus 14 mg without prescription
buy deltasone buy generic prednisone deltasone 20mg sale
accutane sale buy accutane 20mg sale cheap accutane
rybelsus 14 mg over the counter rybelsus canada buy generic rybelsus over the counter
buy generic amoxicillin over the counter cheap amoxicillin pills purchase amoxicillin online
order ventolin online albuterol inhalator ca order albuterol inhalator generic
Wow, this blog is like a fantastic adventure soaring into the universe of endless possibilities! The thrilling content here is a thrilling for the imagination, sparking awe at every turn. Whether it’s technology, this blog is a source of exciting insights! #InfinitePossibilities Dive into this cosmic journey of knowledge and let your imagination roam! ✨ Don’t just explore, immerse yourself in the excitement! #FuelForThought will thank you for this exciting journey through the dimensions of discovery! ✨
Wow, this blog is like a rocket launching into the universe of excitement! The thrilling content here is a captivating for the mind, sparking curiosity at every turn. Whether it’s technology, this blog is a goldmine of inspiring insights! #InfinitePossibilities into this cosmic journey of knowledge and let your thoughts roam! ✨ Don’t just explore, immerse yourself in the excitement! #BeyondTheOrdinary Your brain will be grateful for this thrilling joyride through the dimensions of awe! ✨
amoxiclav without prescription amoxiclav without prescription augmentin 625mg canada
Wow, this blog is like a fantastic adventure blasting off into the galaxy of wonder! The captivating content here is a captivating for the mind, sparking excitement at every turn. Whether it’s lifestyle, this blog is a source of exciting insights! #MindBlown into this exciting adventure of knowledge and let your imagination soar! ✨ Don’t just explore, immerse yourself in the excitement! #BeyondTheOrdinary Your mind will thank you for this exciting journey through the dimensions of awe! ✨
buy synthroid 150mcg generic synthroid 100mcg levothroid pills
Wow, this blog is like a rocket soaring into the universe of excitement! The thrilling content here is a thrilling for the mind, sparking awe at every turn. Whether it’s lifestyle, this blog is a source of inspiring insights! into this exciting adventure of discovery and let your mind fly! ✨ Don’t just read, immerse yourself in the thrill! #BeyondTheOrdinary Your mind will be grateful for this thrilling joyride through the dimensions of endless wonder! ✨
gabapentin 800mg uk gabapentin for sale online buy neurontin 600mg generic
cost clomiphene oral clomid order clomid 50mg generic
purchase lasix online buy generic furosemide diuretic lasix uk
Your dedication to quality content is evident. Keep up the great work!
Wow, this blog is like a rocket soaring into the universe of wonder! The captivating content here is a captivating for the mind, sparking excitement at every turn. Whether it’s technology, this blog is a source of exciting insights! #InfinitePossibilities into this cosmic journey of knowledge and let your thoughts roam! Don’t just enjoy, immerse yourself in the thrill! #BeyondTheOrdinary will be grateful for this thrilling joyride through the dimensions of endless wonder!
order sildenafil for sale sildenafil 50mg us buy generic sildenafil 100mg
order vibra-tabs generic purchase doxycycline generic vibra-tabs oral
roulette online blackjack free best real money casino
order rybelsus 14 mg without prescription buy semaglutide online order rybelsus 14 mg generic
order pregabalin pills purchase lyrica online cheap how to buy pregabalin
levitra 20mg canada vardenafil 10mg cheap vardenafil 20mg without prescription
zithromax cheap online
hydroxychloroquine 200mg canada plaquenil order online brand hydroxychloroquine
buy desloratadine paypal clarinex canada order clarinex 5mg for sale
buy cialis 40mg sale tadalafil 5mg pill tadalafil 5mg generic
cenforce over the counter cenforce 50mg drug purchase cenforce generic
metformin hydrochloride 500 mg
priligy 60mg us order cytotec 200mcg for sale misoprostol over the counter
buy generic chloroquine over the counter buy chloroquine without prescription buy chloroquine 250mg
buy orlistat 60mg sale diltiazem sale order diltiazem for sale
purchase glycomet pill order glucophage 1000mg pill metformin 1000mg for sale
flagyl liquid
furosemide 4 mg
what are the side effects of lisinopril
zithromax tablets 500mg
purchase amlodipine online cheap order norvasc 10mg generic order amlodipine 10mg generic
maximum dose of lasix in 24 hours
side effects of stopping gabapentin in dogs
buy crestor without a prescription order ezetimibe for sale zetia 10mg price
Your posts always leave me feeling enlightened and inspired. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Asheville sends its love!
glucophage ulotka
buy zestril for sale buy lisinopril 2.5mg for sale oral lisinopril
domperidone canada purchase tetracycline without prescription buy tetracycline sale
escitalopram pregnancy category
cephalexin vs cipro
cat can’t walk after gabapentin
buy prilosec prilosec 20mg over the counter where to buy omeprazole without a prescription
z pack vs amoxicillin
bactrim ds strength
lopressor online order metoprolol price buy metoprolol generic
order toradol generic colcrys 0.5mg tablet where to buy colchicine without a prescription
ciprofloxacin 500mg
expired cephalexin
buy cheap generic tenormin buy tenormin no prescription tenormin 100mg drug
methylprednisolone 16mg without prescription buy medrol cheap buy methylprednisolone usa
buy propranolol sale buy inderal 20mg pills buy clopidogrel 75mg for sale
bactrim 800/160 para que sirve
buy methotrexate 5mg pill coumadin online order cheap warfarin
essay helpers help writing papers for college research paper help online
doxycycline vs cephalexin
oral metoclopramide 20mg cheap reglan buy generic cozaar 25mg
amoxicillin with food
meloxicam 7.5mg cheap purchase mobic online celebrex 200mg pills
buy esomeprazole 20mg for sale purchase topamax without prescription purchase topamax for sale
escitalopram?trackid=sp-006
what does gabapentin look like
order flomax 0.4mg pills order flomax 0.4mg without prescription celebrex 200mg canada
cheap imitrex cheap levaquin purchase levaquin online cheap
buy cheap zofran order zofran 8mg pill spironolactone price
avodart pills buy avodart 0.5mg generic cost zantac 300mg
ddavp nasal spray for enuresis
citalopram alternatives
zocor 10mg without prescription valtrex 1000mg brand order valtrex 1000mg pills
what does depakote do
buy acillin online cheap doxycycline usa cheap amoxicillin pills
what is cozaar medication
buy proscar 1mg for sale buy propecia cheap buy fluconazole 200mg sale
baycip brand – buy myambutol 600mg for sale buy augmentin 1000mg for sale
buy baycip online cheap – buy myambutol 1000mg augmentin 625mg for sale
ddavp 0.1 mg tablets
bupropion vs citalopram
depakote vs lamictal
does cozaar cause cough
buy generic metronidazole online – amoxicillin cost order generic azithromycin 250mg
buy generic ciplox for sale – buy generic chloromycetin buy erythromycin 500mg generic
diltiazem price walmart
ezetimibe canada
valtrex order online – vermox us zovirax 400mg ca
diclofenac sodium vs ibuprofen
augmentin xr
ivermectin 6mg pills – buy ciplox 500mg online tetracycline 500mg uk
experience contrave
effexor benefits
what is flexeril used for
information on the drug flomax
buy generic ampicillin online order ampicillin generic amoxil price
aspirin overdose symptoms
order lasix 40mg – candesartan 16mg pills order capoten without prescription
does allopurinol cause hair loss
aripiprazole im
coming off amitriptyline
how long does it take augmentin to work
zidovudine pills – allopurinol over the counter
celebrex drug class
glucophage 500mg drug – lamivudine tablet lincocin 500mg us
baclofen alcoholism
does bupropion give you energy
celexa drug
celecoxib 200 mg dosage
generic clozaril – buy frumil 5mg without prescription buy famotidine 20mg generic
when to take ashwagandha
quetiapine generic – generic geodon 80mg eskalith us
mixing xanax with buspirone