Robert Downey Jr’s tribute to his late father, and indie filmmaker known for eccentric and satirical gems like Putney Swope, made its way to Netflix in the form of a heartfelt documentary, Sr, on December 2, 2022. The film registers the trajectory of the older Downey’s descent with Parkison’s disease as his son hopes to capture his legacy with this personal account.
Not only is their candid relationship, and the eventual attempts to mend the bridge between them featured throughout the film, but also Downey Sr’s off-handed cinematic genius and a chart of his unconventional projects over the years. Even his friends in the industry noted his love for the New York ambiance instead of Los Angeles. Thus, choosing to stay afar from the capitalist filmmaking business industry, he carved his path with a unique sensibility, welcoming the cast of his movies as members of his family rather than a distant set of unfamiliar actors.
For many of his films, even his son – Robert Downy Jr, his first wife – Elsie Ford, and his daughter – Allyson Downey joined the team. Here are some of those titles featuring the members of the director’s family (also mentioned in the documentary).
5 Movies Featuring the Downey Family Together
Pound (1970)
The elder Downey conveyed in the recently release docufilm that it was quite bothersome for them to hire a babysitter for a child actor to be brought on set for certain scenes in Pound. Having grown up amidst the “cacophony of creativity”, as put across by the Iron Man actor, he became the obvious choice to play the young boy named Puppy in the film, marking his acting debut at the age of five.
Greaser’s Palace (1972)
Stepping in as “The Woman’s” character in the ’72 film, Elsie Ford or Elsie Downey, Robert Downey Sr’s first wife chose to act in this movie, like many other titles she worked on with the filmmaker. She was also accompanied by young Downey Jr, who plays her onscreen son as well. The documentary also details that his character was initially killed by God, but was eventually revived and reunited with his mother.
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Up the Academy (1980)
Set in a military school, as highlighted by the title, this is one of the very few non-basement-budgeted movies directed by the elder Downey. It features his daughter, Allyson Downey in a briefly appearing role as the Platoon Leader. The Netflix documentary reflected the director’s perspective of wanting to go in a different direction with the casting choices at the time for the boys in the academy, however, working under constrictions laid down by the studio, he couldn’t follow his independent style and ideas with this one openly.
Too Much Sun (1990)
Entering as Reed Richmond, RDJ played his part in this film of the ’90s revolving around a multi-millionaire who leaves behind a will for his homosexual son and daughter, with the condition that at least one of them must produce an heir. Although this particular title has received its grand share of admonishments for offensively dealing with the issue, it’s yet another film spoken of in the new documentary, featuring more than one Downey family members.
Hugo Pool (1997)
Seeking inspiration from his grieving experience after losing his second wife Laura Ernst to ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig’s disease, the underground director found his coping mechanism in prepping for Hugo Pool. The film’s plot was centred on a male protagonist dealing with the same disease, and Robert Downey Jr’s struggle with drug addiction was also portrayed through Franz’s character played by him. The 1997 film can then be seen as an expressive means of healing for the father-son duo.
Have you watched any film directed by Robert Downey Sr? What are your thoughts on his offbeat filmmaking style? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Sr is now streaming on Netflix.
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