Auto Focus
A successful TV star during the 1960s, former "Hogan's Heroes" actor Bob Crane projects a wholesome family-man image, but this front masks his persona as a sex addict who records and photographs his many encounters with women, often with the help of his seedy friend, John Henry Carpenter. This biographical drama reveals how Crane's double life takes its toll on him and his family, and ultimately contributes to his death.
Director(s)
Paul Schrader
Aaron Barsky
Barbara M. Ravis
Rebecca Poulos
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Wuchak
**_Bob Crane's growing sexual addiction and murder_** Crane (Greg Kinnear) befriends a video expert named John Carpenter (Willem Dafoe) around the time he gets the gig for Hogan's Heroes. He is soon seduced by the temptations of being a big star; "free sex" is the sin du jour of the era and Crane can't resist the scores of beautiful women who want him. Unlike Crane, Carpenter isn't a star and isn't handsome, but he's able to continually pick up women simply due to his friendship with Bob. During and, especially, after his popular TV show, Crane experiences a downward spiral as he becomes entangled in the web of loose sex. By June, 1978, he was dead at 49. "Auto Focus" (2002) was based on Robert Graysmith's book "The Murder of Bob Crane: Who Killed the Star of Hogan's Heroes?," which – believe it or not – depicts Crane's plunge into sexual immorality even worse than seen in the movie. Director Paul Schrader is a writer or director of quite a few critically acclaimed films, like "Taxi Driver" (writer), "The Mosquito Coast" (writer) and "Hardcore" (writer & director). Speaking of "Hardcore," that film also addresses the subject of sexual hedonism with focus on a fascinating father/daughter relationship that develops between a staunch Calvinist conservative (George C. Scott) and a young lost prostitute (Season Hubley). "Auto Focus" may not be quite as good but, if you can handle the sleazy aspects, it maintains your attention and the actors do a quality job. Rita Wilson and Maria Bello are on hand as Crane's wife and mistress/new-wife respectively. Meanwhile Michael E. Rodgers plays Bob's somewhat nemesis, Richard Dawson. The DVD features a documentary on Crane's death and the most obvious culprit, John Carpenter. It's an interesting case, to say the least. I shouldn't fail to add that I know someone who worked as a waitress at an A&W in my area during the mid-70s when Crane was forced to do traveling theater work to earn a living, as shown in the movie. She waited on him & another guy and Bob was his typically amiable self, just with a decidedly smart-alecky edge. I guess my friend didn't act starstruck enough because he didn't leave her a tip! It runs 1 hour, 45 minutes, and was shot in California and Arizona. GRADE: B
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![Auto Focus (2002) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZILJYV9qoxI/maxresdefault.jpg)
Auto Focus FAQs
The directors of Auto Focus are Paul Schrader, Aaron Barsky, Barbara M. Ravis, and Rebecca Poulos.
The cast of Auto Focus includes Willem Dafoe as John Carpenter, Ed Begley Jr. as Mel Rosen, Michael McKean as Video Executive, John Kapelos as Bruno Gerussi, Joseph D. Reitman as Hippie Boy, Vyto Ruginis as Nickie D, Joe Grifasi as Strip Club M.C., Don McManus as Priest, Kurt Fuller as Werner Klemperer, Greg Kinnear as Bob Crane, Christopher Neiman as Robert Clary, Maria Bello as Patricia Olson / Patrica Crane, and more.
The duration of Auto Focus is 1h 44 mins.
Yes. Auto Focus has 3 trailers on Fanbiz, including Auto Focus (2002) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]. Watch them on this page.
You can watch Auto Focus on Apple TV Store (Rent), Amazon Video (Rent), and Apple TV Store (Buy). Check this Fanbiz page for the latest platforms.
Auto Focus was released on 18 Oct 2002.
Auto Focus is listed under Crime and Drama on Fanbiz.
Auto Focus has 1 review on Fanziz, with an average rating of 7.0/10. One reviewer wrote: "**_Bob Crane's growing sexual addiction and murder_** Crane (Greg Kinnear) befriends a video expert named John Carpenter (Willem Dafoe) around the time he gets the gig for Ho..."
