"The voice. The man. The drama. The Legend. Genius is forever." This is the story of Pavarotti. This documentary film directed by Ron Howard. Featuring never-before-seen footage, concert performances and intimate interviews, the film examines the life and career of famed opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
On 12th October 1935, Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI (/ˌpɑːvəˈrɔːti/; Italian: [luˈtʃaːno pavaˈrɔtti]), was born to a baker and amateur tenor, and a cigar factory worker. He went on to become one of the most commercially successful tenors of all time with a repertoire spanning from classic Italian operas and arias to popular music. Gaining worldwide fame for the quality of his tone, and eventually established himself as one of the finest tenors of the 20th century, achieving the honorific title "Kind of the high C's." From the beginning of his professional career in 1961 in Italy to his final performance at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Pavarotti has sold over a hundred million records, with the first Three Tenors recording becoming the best-selling classical album of all time. Pavarotti was also known for his charity work on behalf of refugees and the Red Cross, amongst others. He also attracted significant controversy with his affair with his future second wife Nicoletta Mantovani, whom he would go on to have a daughter, Alice in January 2003. On 6th September 2007, he passed away from pancreatic cancer. The film was produced with the cooperation of Pavarotti's estate using family archives, interviews and live music footage. In addition to Mantovani and their daughter, he was survived by his first wife Adua and their three daughters: Lorenza, Cristina, and Giuliana.
Unearthed fan footage and gorgeously restored concert clips make Pavarotti a must-see for fans. Howard assembles the film with an eye to appeasing those knowledgeable about the most iconic tenor of the 20th century. The material is uncontroversial to say the least, but hugely enjoyable with some remastered live performances that were previously drowned out by screaming fans. For those of us who can remember, it's a deliriously evocative nostalgia trip, as well as a timely reminder of more cultured times. Ninety percent familiar and a bit hagiographic as well, but just try watching it without smiling. This doc isn't pretending to be anything but hagiographic, but despite its obvious fandom, it does a great job of reminding us just how ground breaking and popular Pavarotti really was. Like most documentaries Howard has made is a fine one, and necessary. Howard brings a narrative structure to a wealth of images and sounds, and it's a great story, even if you think you've heard it all before. The documentary's richness is so great that it doesn't even end when the final credits run. Pavarotti now belongs to an honoured past, stuck there like an obelisk, and yet here he is, alive-busting out all over, time and time again. In short, two hours of ecstasy for the fans and enjoyment for the rest of the audience.
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