• Stephen Tobolowsky’s Birthday Party

    by  • March 14, 2005 • Documentary


    You’ve seen actor Stephen Tobolowsky in something. You may not be able to place him right away, but his face will be familiar. He’s been in about 150 films and TV shows so far, including “Freaky Friday,” “Adaptation,” “Memento,” “Groundhog Day,” and “Basic Instinct.” His friends, we learn from this film, know him as a great teller of stories — both sweetly touching and laugh-out-loud funny. Director Robert Brinkmann gives us a view of his good friend that most folks don’t get to see, following Stephen around on his birthday as he goes for a walk, gets food ready for his party, and finally hosts his own birthday party. He is constantly telling stories, some just to the camera, others for the large and appreciative audience of friends and family at his party. Short interviews with folks who know him are interwoven with the stories so that we get a real feel for what it must be like to know this hardworking actor and teller of tales. This is a fantastic documentary, at once touching, hilarious, and utterly wonderful.