CELEBRITY: DOMINICK DUNNE

In the wake of his daughter’s traumatic murder trial, gossip columnist come court reporter, Dominick Dunne began his writing career chronicling celebrity court battles for Vanity Fair. But unlike the previous four Dunne documentaries, Celebrity: Dominick Dunne focuses less on the trials he has reported, and more on his life story. He returned a hero from WWII, married a stunningly rich woman and threw parties for the world’s most glamorous stars. Directors Kirsty De Garis and Timothy Jolley provide a non-invasive insight into the life of this eccentric, charismatic and opinionated writer. The use of timely pauses and varying camera angles makes the 90 minute documentary entertaining, but a limited budget with the aim of reaching a ‘rough, fine cut’ means that editing is sometimes choppy. However, Dunne is so charismatic and his story so enthralling that it overshadows the technical aspects of the film. Celebrity: Dominick Dunne is much more than just a documentary. It is brutally honest, funny, charismatic and littered with celebrity glamour. (Stephanie-Kate Bratton)