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Poster for Finding Vivian Maier

Finding Vivian Maier

Seen it?

2014 | 83 min | Documentary

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for the curious. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Eye-opening.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 23 min.
What might put you off
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Vivian Maier's photos were seemingly destined for obscurity, lost among the clutter of the countless objects she'd collected throughout her life. Instead these images have shaken the world of street photography and irrevocably changed the life of the man who brought them to the public eye. This film brings to life the interesting turns and travails of the improbable saga of John Maloof's discovery of Vivian Maier, unravelling this mysterious tale through her documentary films, photographs, odd collections and personal accounts from the people that knew her. What started as a blog to show her work quickly became a viral sensation in the photography world. Photos destined for the trash heap now line gallery exhibitions, a forthcoming book and this documentary film.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.6 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 16K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Charlie Siskel, John Maloof

  • Vivian MaierSelf (archive footage)
  • John MaloofSelf - Narrator
  • Daniel ArnaudSelf - Interview Subject
  • Simon AmédéSelf - Interview Subject
  • Maren BaylaenderSelf - Interview Subject
  • Eula BissSelf - Interview Subject
  • Bindy BittermanSelf - Interview Subject
  • Roger CarlsonSelf - Interview Subject
  • Phil DonahueSelf - Talk Show Host
  • Karen FrankSelf - Interview Subject