Cimino The deer hunter, Heaven's gate, and the price of a vision

Filmmaker Michael Cimino (1939--2016) remains a mysterious figure in this intriguing biography from novelist Elton (Mr. Toppit). Based on copious interviews, including with Cimino's estranged brothers and his collaborator Joann Carelli, Elton's account offers a variety of perspectives on an artist who sought to obfuscate his own identity. Born in Westbury, N.Y., Cimino was a "talented artist," had a "superficial" bad-boy persona, and remained elusive even to his childhood friends. After college he became a well-known TV commercial director, but his reputation as the toast of Hollywood came for his 1978 Oscar-winning The Deer Hunter, then plummeted to industry pariah after his 1980 film Heaven's Gate exceeded budgets and schedules and was a critical and commercial flop. In the ensuing years, he only directed four more films. Then, in 2012, he released his original cut of Heaven's Gate to much acclaim. Elton has a sure hand with behind-the-scenes details and is even-handed in his appraisals, describing Cimino's "meticulous, detail-heavy direction" that could skew toward "nit-picking attention to detail" as both a strength and a weakness. A somewhat murky picture of Cimino emerges, though Elton wrestles commendably with an elusive subject who reportedly said of himself, "I don't know most of the people I've been." Film buffs will find much to enjoy. Photos. (Apr.)

Intent on uncovering the truth behind the rumors, producer and novelist Elton tackles the controversial, mysterious, and enigmatic director Michael Cimino, who was notorious for his many lies: about his birthdate, his family history, even his height. His early work in commercials reflected his extraordinary eye for detail (an entire book was written about his Eastman Kodak commercial of 1967). His film career peaked with the brilliant The Deer Hunter, which overcame numerous challenges to win the Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture. Then came Heaven's Gate--after Cimino spent 40 million dollars, six months of shooting, and a year of editing, the film became the "poster child for failure"; Cimino was blamed for bankrupting the studio and made only four more films. However, Elton provides evidence of a later critical reevaluation of both the film and Cimino. Elton examines Cimino's troublesome personal life as well--his longstanding complicated relationship with his partner Joann Carelli, his dramatic changes of physical appearance, and his attempts to ultimately reconcile with the many people he had offended over the years. Elton masterfully maneuvers through the web of lies surrounding Cimino, providing riveting details and fascinating interviews with key players. VERDICT A must for film aficionados. Fans of Cimino's will be satisfied that he has been vindicated.--Lisa Henry