So, Twihards, the new documentary Robsessed is out today on DVD, and we’ve had an early look at the 70-minute film (see clips after the jump). It was hard to tell from the pre-release info whether it would be a Teen Beat-esque detail of his favorite pizza toppings and best hair days, or a serious documentary about how and why he’s so famous and how he copes with the intense interest in his life. And we can now reveal that Irene Antoniades’ film is kind of both…and kind of neither.
Yes, the uber fans will be particularly drawn to the early modeling shots of him in boxer shorts and black socks. But despite the documentary being touted as “all access,” there seems to be very little other exclusive footage, photos, or interviews with people who actually know him well. Most of the talking heads are British magazine editors who may have met him briefly if at all. It was nice to hear from his old theater group leader from the London suburbs – and it would have been even cooler to see footage of him in those early community productions of Macbeth and Guys and Dolls.
But, alas, there are no interviews with school friends or neighbors (an “interview” with a woman who once saw him in a pub should have been left on the editing-room floor), not even an old school portrait, and no family members coming out of the woodwork (Lindsay Lohan should be so lucky). On the other hand, I now know that RPattz once won an award for messiest desk at school and I’m sure that will enhance my life somehow.
There are some “expert” opinions about what kind of fame he has achieved, as well as talks with “superfans.” For the experts, notably absent are interviews with the likes of Stephenie Meyer (who is – d’oh – referred to as “Meyers” a few times), or Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, or even the casting director who got Pattinson his big break in Harry Potter. And it goes without saying Kristen Stewart isn’t interviewed about their “friendship.” At least some of the paparazzi following him had some insight into how he treats fans, and a few indie directors say he was nice to work with pre-Twilight.
Thankfully, the revered British film critic Kim Newman makes some intelligent points about Pattinson’s career and the Twilight phenomenon. He notes, for instance, that it is more Edward Cullen than Robert Pattinson that has caused the obsession. Newman says: “It’s weird, the absolute identification of the actor with the role, to the point that fans almost find the actor an inconvenience.” He also tells a funny story about having 13-year-old girls placed in a preview screening to balance “the cynical old critics.”
Other burning topics addressed in the film include why moms crush on Pattinson, his musical ambitions, how he landed the role in Twilight, and how his older sisters allegedly used to dress him up in girl’s clothes and call him Claudia (sadly, no photographic evidence to accompany that).
The voiceover can be a bit cringe-y – “Rob is a true British gent with effortless style and finger-lickingly good hair. Where did it all go right?” Note to filmmakers: chicken is finger-licking, hair is not. And, wait, that’s not all about the hair. There is a lengthy discussion of RPattz’s signature locks. I found it highly watchable, at least for a laugh or for styling tips to achieve that certain look).
That coif isn’t as unwashed as we might believe – and one magazine editor has proof of Pattinson’s hygiene! A reporter for British Glamour was ordered to smell him up close to make sure he showers – “He was very fragrant…very fresh,” Glamour assistant editor James Williams says. “Almost as fresh as a daisy, but a bit more masculine.”
The hardened journalist in me just died a bit typing that last quote, but the part of me who is a cougarish RPattz admirer has to confess that overall, the documentary was mostly watchable despite the cheese factor.
If you are firmly in Team Edward are you planning on buying the Robsessed DVD or just drooling over him in New Moon next week?
If you want to debate all this in person, Robsesssed will be playing Saturday during the New York-based Paley Center for Media’s Vampire Weekend – and EW’s own Ken Tucker will be moderating a panel about TV vampires.
For now, here are some clips from Robsessed:
Comments (1-15) of 19 Add your comment
unhealthy obsession
I always knew he smelled like a masculine daisy.
LMAO!!!!
This is getting ridiculous. That is all.
I…this…he….wtf? Too much. No wonder he doesn’t want to make anymore big movies after Twilight.
I….umm….raise your hand if ew?
So they didn’t talk to Pattinson or anyone in his inner circle of any consequence.
It seems like this rip-off of a DVD was one step away from interviewing any of us simply because we’ve heard of Pattinson.
The only part that’s interesting is the sentence about Edward Cullen being the real obsession, not Rob. I think Pattinson is talented, but he was also extremely fortuante to be cast in “Twilight” because that role would’ve catapulted almost anyone. If an unknown actor named Doug had been cast, this item would be about a DVD called “Doug-sessed.”
Totally agree. And while this “documentary” is just creepy (and is similar to those “unauthorized biographies” of pop stars they marketed to tweens in the 90s), a film that explored the Twilight obsession and how it affected the cast would actually be interesting.
FYI, this DVD is a bunch of money-grabbing BS. Talk about exploiting someone.
Why are you guys dignifying this exploitative tabloid tripe by writing about it, REPEATEDLY? It’s garbage now and it was garbage the last five times you wrote about it. Enough.
I’m totally Team Edward, but I’m also 26 years old. There’s no way I’m wasting my time watching some pathetic fan video of Rob…
it’s a bit creepy, actually.
I would consider myself a near twi-hard…but im sorry, this is just freaking ridiculous. how did this thing get greenlit??? i just feel bad for robert pattinson. people, leave the poor man alone.
Being a Rob fan, this is ridiculous and I truly hope that all Twilight/Rob fans do not support this utter garbage.
And I agree with Katie G, it is creepy and pathetic. Most of us fans support and respect him.
I think he is beautiful – I am so buying this today!!
you should hang yourself while watching it… im sure Rob would love that!
I just love the fact that my comment is only the 16th, hopefully signifying that there will be less Twilight coverage in the near future. Even the Team Edward vs. Team Jacob post the other day did not garner the usual number of comments. A sign for things to come?
God, let’s hope so. It’s one thing to post about casting, clips, photos, etc. But some of these posts are absolutely ridiculous and are part of the reason why so many people are friggin’ sick of getting on EW.com and wading through Twi-crap.
I’ll be glad when Breaking Dawn comes out so A) I can laugh at how godawful it is and B) the Twilight love affair can end.
Dissapointing! I thought that the DVD would other more insight into the daily life if Rob, but it doesn’t even talk to him or anyone who actually knows him. As for the “superfans” what a joke! They are obsessed with Edward not Rob. And as for the 5 minute lecture about how is hair is what makes him attractive, I disagree.
I am interested in Rob not Edward, and it’s what’s behind the good looks that interests and attracts me.
They are making money off of rob being edward, We want to know about rob not edward Rob is a talented actor it should have been about that