Alexander Caldwell
An American Masters co-production, the definitive portrait of the only inventor of an artform, the mobile.
An incisive documentary. This hour captures the boundless optimism and energy of its subject. Pick of the week.”
People
Director Roger Sherman removes the crust of kitsch from the artist who invented all those pretty mobiles… Sherman offers beautiful old footage of Calder showing his wire-sculpted toy circus to a group of wowed surrealists, plus an art-historical perspective from interviewees ranging from a garrulous Arthur Miller to eloquent National Gallery of Art curator Marla Prather.”
Entertainment Weekly ‘A’
Playwright Arthur Miller says Calder’s works are endlessly fascinating. ‘You just feel better for having stared at it for a while.’ The same goes for this portrait.”
New York Post ***½ Stars
Producer-director-cinematographer Roger Sherman and writer Thomas McNamee do a wonderful job exploring and explaining the inspiration behind the artist. Very entertaining. Like Calder’s art, this American Masters special is self-assured and singularly delightful.”
Daily News *** Stars
An extraordinary American masterpiece.”
Charlie Rose
The National Gallery show is wonderful. But in a few small ways, this hour-long documentary is even better. We get to see the man and his sculptures in motion.”
The Washington Post
Only one artist could turn the National Gallery of Art into a giant playroom: Alexander Calder. What brings you closer to Calder’s real purpose, however, is a video by Roger Sherman showing work as it was meant to be seen–in motion.”
New York Magazine
The American Masters production does full justice to the subject and then some. Roger Sherman, the program’s director and cinematographer, captures the exuberance of the man.”
Gannet News Service