I don't watch too many documentaries but on this occasion I was swayed by several favourable reviews. Maloof is shrewd enough to opt for a title that although ultimately misleading (we don't really 'find' Vivian maier) is a serviceable 'hook' designed to catch the odd floating viewer. If, as Maloof does, we divide the footage in two, with one half spent interviewing people who met, knew, or were nannied by the elusive Maier, and the other wallowing in what can only represent a handful of the literally thousands of photographs she left behind then the photos win hands down and more than justify the film. A great part of its left-handed, quirky charm is that virtually all the interviewees are a tad off-centre, not unlike, of course, Maier's favourite subjects.
Review of Finding Vivian Maier
