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Auto Focus

Auto Focus

Crime · Drama · 2002

A successful TV star during the 1960s, former "Hogan's Heroes" actor Bob Crane projects a wholesome family-man image, but this front masks his persona as a sex addict who records and photographs his many encounters with women, often with the help of his seedy friend, John Henry Carpenter. This biographical drama reveals how Crane's double life takes its toll on him and his family, and ultimately contributes to his death.

Movie details

Auto Focus

“A day without sex is a day wasted.”

2002 Crime · Drama 1h 44m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.4 / 10

Community rating

A successful TV star during the 1960s, former "Hogan's Heroes" actor Bob Crane projects a wholesome family-man image, but this front masks his persona as a sex addict who records and photographs his many encounters with women, often with the help of his seedy friend, John Henry Carpenter. This biographical drama reveals how Crane's double life takes its toll on him and his family, and ultimately contributes to his death.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Auto Focus?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Shame

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Nymphomaniac: Vol. I

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Bugsy

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Paul Schrader

Written by

Michael Gerbosi

Greg Kinnear

Greg Kinnear

Bob Crane

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe

John Carpenter

Rita Wilson

Rita Wilson

Anne Crane

Maria Bello

Maria Bello

Patricia Olson / Patrica Crane

Ron Leibman

Ron Leibman

Lenny

Kurt Fuller

Kurt Fuller

Werner Klemperer

Ed Begley Jr.

Ed Begley Jr.

Mel Rosen

Court is in session

Put Auto Focus on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.