Long before he became a major big-screen star through the ‘80s and ‘90s (subsequently going on to thrive in the streaming era too with Only Murders In The Building), Steve Martin was a stage comedian whose stand-up shows and album recordings quickly became the stuff of legend. That’s a big part of the story being told in upcoming double-pronged documentary feature STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces. As its title suggests, there are two strands to the film(s), from acclaimed director Morgan Neville – the first being ‘Then’, about Martin’s game-changing early comedy career; and ‘Now’, about his life and career in the present day. Check out an exclusive clip from the ‘Then’ portion, digging into the genius of Martin’s stand-up.
The films feature inclusions from fellow actors and comedians – there you heard Jerry Seinfeld and American folk musician John McEuen, while other contributors include Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels, Larry David, Diane Keaton, Eric Idle, and Martin’s Only Murders co-star Selena Gomez – plus, of course, his long-time friend and collaborator Martin Short.
Here’s the official synopsis: “Steve Martin is one of the most beloved and enigmatic figures in entertainment. STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces dives into his extraordinary story from two distinct points of view, with companion documentaries that feature never-before-seen footage and raw insights into Steve’s personal and professional trials and triumphs. ‘Then’ chronicles Steve Martin’s early struggles and meteoric rise to revolutionise standup before walking away at 35. ‘Now’ focuses on the present day, with Steve Martin in the golden years of his career, retracing the transformation that led to happiness in his art and personal life.”
STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces is streaming on Apple TV+ from 29 March.