Revisit early films of Steve Martin alongside new Apple TV+ doc
Streaming Friday on Apple TV+ comes a revealing two-part documentary about beloved comedian Steve Martin, directed by Oscar winning “20 Feet from Stardom” director Morgan Neville. “Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces,” is a truly unique documentary project, the two halves distinctly different but fitting together to create an illuminating portrait of Martin and his relationship to fame and creativity.
The first half “Then” tracks his early life, through childhood, the budding of his comedy career, his boundarypushing stand-up shows, and his meteoric rise to fame in the 1970s, becoming a pop culture sensation through his platinum-selling comedy albums, sold-out tours and many appearances hosting “Saturday Night Live.” The first part ends with Martin’s transition to a film career with “The Jerk,” and his first major stumble with the poorly received “Pennies from Heaven.”
The second half of the two-part film, titled “Now,” follows Martin in the present day, co-starring on the Hulu hit “Only Murders in the Building” with his longtime friend and collaborator Martin Short, living a private life with his wife and young daughter. In contrast to the chaotic frenzy of his life in the 1970s, Neville captures Martin in moments of quiet contentment, biking with Short through Santa Barbara, fixing easy meals on the road, and reflecting on his life. It’s a fascinating and riveting watch, in which the elusive star opens up like never before about the highs and lows of his personal life and career.
But while “Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces,” is an absorbing watch, it will likely make you want to revisit his filmography, especially the early titles from the late 1970s and ‘80s on which the documentary focuses. So here’s a little primer of where to watch some of Steve Martin’s earliest films, as an accompaniment to the doc.
His breakout role was obviously in “The Jerk” (1979), which he wrote and Carl Reiner directed. Martin stars as a simple country boy who heads off for life in the big city. The film was a massive hit and cemented Martin as a star. Stream it on Showtime or rent it elsewhere. In 1982, Martin and Reiner reunited for the noir parody “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid”
The documentary also focuses on the 1981 flop “Pennies from Heaven,” a 1930s-style movie musical directed by Herbert Ross and co-starring Bernadette Peters and Christopher Walken. Martin in a sincere mode was not warmly received by critics and audiences, and the film explores how that failure was a deep wound for Martin. A fascinating object in his career history, rent “Pennies from Heaven” on all digital platforms.
Of course, there’s the iconic 1986 comedy “Three Amigos!,” which Martin wrote with Lorne Michaels and Randy Newman, directed by John Landis and co-starring Short and “SNL” star Chevy Chase. Stream it on AMC+, The Roku Channel, or rent it elsewhere.
Martin also wrote and starred in a couple of beloved romantic comedies, “Roxanne,” a 1987 Cyrano de Bergerac riff, and “L.A. Story,” the 1991 rom-com co-starring his future wife Victoria Tennant, Marilu Henner and Sarah Jessica Parker. Both are available to rent on all digital platforms.
But while he was making these rom-coms, he was also starring as a beloved movie dad, in 1989’s “Parenthood,” directed by Ron Howard, heading up an all-star ensemble cast including Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Jason Robards, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves and Joaquin Phoenix. Stream it on Netflix. He also starred in the 1991 film “Father of the Bride” opposite Diane Keaton and Kimberly Williams-Paisley (plus Short and a tiny Kieran Culkin). Stream it on Disney+ or rent.
There are so many more fantastic Steve Martin movies, but the documentary will inspire you to revisit these early favorites in his career, so consider this the companion guide to “Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces” on Apple TV+.
From hopping, to running, to rolling, Kansas City area residents will celebrate Easter this weekend and beyond. And, of course, there will be egg hunts aplenty.
One highlight will be Spring Fest at Zona Rosa, which will include free photos with the Easter Bunny, pop-up shopping from Strawberry Swing, food trucks and children’s activities.
HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Easter Egg 5K and 10K, 8 a.m. March 30, Southcreek Office Park, Overland Park ($32-$42). kcrunningcompany.com.
BunnyPalooza, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 30 and 1-6 p.m. March 31, KC Pumpkin Patch, Olathe ($17.95). kcpumpkinpatch.com.
Downtown Bunny Hop, 10-11:30 a.m. March 30, downtown Lee’s Summit (free). downtownls.org.
Easter Egg Roll with Dole, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 30, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, Lawrence (free). doleinstitute.org.
Harry’s Hop ’n Hunt, 10 a.m.-noon March 30, Harry S. Truman Presidential Library (free). trumanlibrary.gov.
Hop In Dop egg hunt, 10 a.m.-noon March 30, downtown Overland Park (free). downtownop.org.
Spring Fest, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 30, Zona Rosa (free). zonarosa.com.
Guided Tour with Egg Hunt, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. March 30, Union Cemetery ($5-$10). uchskc.org.
Easter Train, noon-4 p.m. March 30, Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad (75 cents). kcparks.org.
Royals Easter Egg Hunt, 11 a.m. March 31, Kauffman Stadium ($19
$37.50; includes admission to game against Minnesota). mlb.com/royals.
“The Thorn,” 7 p.m. April 3-4, Music Hall ($45.50-$101). kcconvention.com.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT
The public can view the entries of more than 500 area students in the 73rd annual Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair at Union Station, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 29; awards ceremony, 10 a.m. March 30 (free). unionstation.org.
Craig Robinson, who has appeared in movies such as “Knocked Up” and “Hot Tub Time Machine” and was a regular on “The Office,” will bring his standup act to the Kansas City Funny Bone, 7 p.m. March 28, 7 and 9:45 p.m. March 2930 ($54). improvkc.com.
Christopher Gorham, author of “The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America,” will appear at the Truman Library Institute’s third annual Women Rising event at the Kansas City Public Library’s Plaza Branch, 6:30 p.m. March 28 (free). trumanlibraryinstitute.org.
The characters from the popular 1980s and ’90s TV show will return to the stage for “Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue” at the Kauffman Center, 8 p.m. March 29 ($55.59-$61.29). kauffmancenter.org.
PNC Broadway in Kansas City will present the mystery comedy “Clue” at the Kauffman Center, 7:30 p.m. April 2-5, 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 6, 1 and 6:30 p.m. April 7 ($66-$131). broadwayinkc.com.
The children’s book by Mo Willems will come to life as a musical with “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience” at the Coterie, opens 10 a.m. April 2; runs through May 19 ($14-$18). thecoterie.org.
MUSIC
Pam Tillis, 7:30 p.m. March 28, Knuckleheads ($38.50-$58.50). knuckleheadskc.com.
Ensemble Iberica, “Celloscape: The International Journey of the Cello,” 7 p.m. March 29, 1900 Building (sold out). ensembleiberica.org.
Of the Trees with Chee, 5:30 p.m. March 30, Uptown ($49.50-$79.50). uptowntheater.com.
Kansas City Chorale, “Spring Song,” 6 p.m. March 30, Nelson-Atkins Museum ($20). kcchorale.org.
One Way, 7 p.m. March 30, Gem ($55$110). eventbrite.com.
R & B Super Fest featuring Anthony Hamilton and Friends, 7 p.m. March 31, Cable Dahmer Arena ($69-$150). cabledahmerarena.com.
Mandy Patinkin, 7:30 p.m. April 1, Lied Center ($21-$60). lied.ku.edu.
Scarface, 8 p.m. April 2, Liberty Hall ($32-$41). libertyhall.net.
Steve Hackett, 7:30 p.m. April 3, Uptown ($25$138). uptowntheater.com.
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED
Jeezy, YTB Fatt and JT, April 27, Municipal Auditorium. kcconvention.com
Kelce Jam, May 18, Azura Amphitheater. kelcejam.com
Lyle Lovett, June 28, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Jon Anderson, Aug. 2, Azura Amphitheater. azuraamp.com
Turnpike Troubadours with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and more, Aug. 16, Azura Amphitheater. azuraamp.com
Korn with Gojira and Spiritbox, Oct. 18, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com