The penultimate entry into a canon of work that can now safely be deemed monolithic, Iris is a delightful swan song for documentarian Albert Maysles. Maysles subject this time around is Iris Apfel, the glamorously aged definition of a “late bloomer” who now moves among the fashionable circles of New York City’s elite. She is irreverent, bursting at the seams with an affectionate sagacity that is only afforded to those who – in Iris’ case – have logged a fair few decades in the mortal coil. Maysles delivers to his audiences a documentary that is at every turn heartwarming and insightful. At points, it is a meditation on growing old. At others, it is a film the explores the revelry of life that is afforded to all and seized by few.

Maysles returns to treasured territory with a tender portrait of an ageing New York icon. Apfel is, at 90, a butterfly fully emerged from her gilded, gauzy chrysalis. We follow Apfel through her thoroughly packed schedule of public appearances, magazine interviews and photo shoots, lectures and private moments spent re-tracing her life. Apfel is as sharp as ever, her mental clarity seemingly unmarred by the march of time. She recounts her start as an interior decorator, traveling the world with her business partner, husband and ultimate sweetheart, Carl Apfel. The narrative of Apfel’s life is constructed as a woman who was dedicated to her work, a trailblazer of taste and fashion who has found late stage fame as sartorial iconography.

The opening shot – or lack thereof – speaks volumes and sets the stage quite aptly: a black screen and the weighty clunking of chunky costume jewelry are the first bits taken in by viewers. Known for her unconventional, near costume aesthetic, it feels particularly appropriate here to be greeted by her staple wardrobe item before we are greeted by her face. From there, we are off and running. Told at a young age that she would “never be pretty, but you have style”, Apfel has defied that sentiment to a certain extent. She is outspoken, endearing and still witty; the film embraces this wholeheartedly. The camera is a tender hand reaching out from the screen, bridging the gap and resulting in affectionate communion. It’s hard not to end up feeling like a kindred spirit in some capacity with Apfel because she releases forth so much vivaciousness and perspicacity. The lens is often inundated with the stylish bits of Apfel’s life: the bric-a-brac of a Florida vacation home, co-workers and companions, the stacks and racks of clothes in her New York home…all other worldly items jockey for attention while Iris humbly swarms the stage. What we are shown at every turn is a life full of levity and enjoyment, although Apfel is consistently stunned when she crosses paths with other movers-and-shakers in the cultural strata (one standout moment is her encountering of Kanye West – not to be missed).

With the recent output of docs that are hard-boiled and myth-busting, its a sincere relief to be delivered a sweet slice-of-life picture. Iris is arguably one of the most delightful documentaries to come along in the last decade and will surely be a standout in Maysles’ body of work. The ultimate takeaway here is that life must be enjoyed and treasured. Even in one’s twilight years, there’s never a reason to settle down.

REVIEW OVERVIEW
Iris
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iris-reviewWith the recent output of docs that are hard-boiled and myth-busting, its a sincere relief to be delivered a sweet slice-of-life picture.