-Written by Kyle Bain.
Art and Life: The Story of Jim Phillips follows the titular artist, Jim Phillips as he recaps his life-long journey through art, surfing, and inspiration. Jim is known for his massive contribution to skateboard art, and his life is finally being put on display–for the whole world to understand and appreciate all that he’s done for the world of art and skateboarding.
Displayed in the unwavering support of his peers, contemporaries, and others–it’s clear the person that Jim is and has been for some time. Art and Life: The Story of Jim Phillips does a beautiful job of showcasing Jim’s art, but this film is undoubtedly, as the title would suggest, the story of Jim. This documentary extends itself far beyond his art, and that’s the delight of the film. I can appreciate art, and Art and Life: The Story of Jim Phillips does a great job of showcasing it, breaking it down, and presenting it in a way that will allow even those most ignorant to the arts to appreciate it.
Art and Life: The Story of Jim Phillips is incredibly slow in its cadence, which sort of juxtaposes the tone of Jim’s art. Even beyond that, however, it does hinder its ability to shine in some moments. Again, I do, wholeheartedly believe that everyone will be able to appreciate Jim’s art at some point throughout the course of the film–but there are moments when that art suffers at the hands of the sometimes long-winded nature of Director John Makens. Could this film have been cut by nearly twenty minutes? I think with ease. Though I commend Makens for wanting to include as much about Jim as he did. Much like those that have the opportunity to speak about Jim throughout the course of Art and Life: The Story of Jim Phillips it seems that Makens very much adores the subject of his film–and though I think it hinders the film to a degree, it’s clear that Makens had a vision and he stuck with it. That alone is enough to almost give him a pass. I’m on the fence about it, but I’m incredibly stubborn; I’d like a slightly shorter film.
As the film comes to a close, viewers are provided a bit of information about the current state of Jim and his affairs. There wasn’t really an emotional connection up to this point–not that there really needed to be. However, as Jim and Makens drop a veritable bomb on viewers toward the conclusion of Art and Life: The Story of Jim Phillips we are pulled into this story in new ways. Jim now appeals to us on an emotional level, something that he wasn’t quite able to achieve up to this point–again, I don’t believe that he needed to either. This is a fitting conclusion to Art and Life: The Story of Jim Phillips, wrapping this story up nicely and giving viewers something to cling to as the film fades to black.
Art and Life: The Story of Jim Phillips is a touching tribute to Jim Phillips, someone that I hadn’t heard of but was familiar with his work. Those who had the opportunity to take part in this documentary had beautiful things to say about the artist, far beyond just his artistry. He’s a man deserving of a documentary, a man deserving of this acclaim–and Makens does a wonderful job of bringing his story to life for the whole world to see.
Directed by John Makens.
Starring Jim Phillips, Gary Partlow, Big John Evanston, Rich Metiver, Dolly Phillips, etc
7.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
