William Shatner, in "You Can Call Me Bill," exposes his fear of loneliness that has been a constant companion in his life. His on-screen character, Captain Kirk, echoes this sentiment as he ventures into the vastness of space. Shatner candidly shares his struggles with loneliness and the impending reality of oblivion on Earth in front of Alexandre O. Phillippe, a keen observer of unconventional movie minds.
Emanating much like a stream-of-consciousness monologue, the film simply focuses on Shatner, allowing him to express his thoughts freely. Shatner discloses a wide array of musings, ranging from his childhood connections with nature and animals to his practical approach to acting. His contemplations gradually become more introspective and poetic, capturing the audience's attention.
Integral to the narrative are Shatner's views on his career, specifically his relationship with fame and notoriety. He connects his acting influences, Laurence Olivier and Marlon Brando, to his own acting style- a blend of Shakespearean flamboyance and Method realism. Clips from Shatner’s impressive body of work, including early Westerns, Priceline commercials, and State Farm ads, artfully illustrate this balance.
Captain James T. Kirk from Star Trek, a character once loathed by Shatner, has now been embraced. Shatner refers to his role as Kirk whilst recounting his journey to space at ninety in Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket. Philippe's portrayal of Shatner manifests their close similarities- both being driven by who they truly are.
Shatner shares his life insights with the humility and honesty of a poet. His musings oscillate between his childhood experiences, love for nature, philosophy, and spirituality. Despite the occasional divergence in his ramblings, his signature staccato delivery keeps the narrative compelling.
At ninety, Shatner’s vivacity is undiminished. Yet, he's deeply cognizant of his mortality. This awareness makes "You Can Call Me Bill" feel like a cinematic homage to his life. Philippe, tactfully stays in the backdrop, unrushed, letting Shatner’s charismatic and introspective narrative unfold, championing the idea of having our Captain Kirk around for as long as possible.
