In 1991, music manager Shep Gordon held Mike Myers over a barrel a few weeks before shooting "Wayne’s World" regarding an Alice Cooper song Myers wanted to use in the film. They have been close friends ever since. 22 years later, the story of Gordon’s legendary life in the uber fast lane is now told in Myers’ directorial debut.
There's no doubting actor Mike Myers's feelings toward Hollywood manager Shep Gordon. Just look at the title of Myers's directorial-debut documentary.
The fawning treatment, however, feels completely deserved considering how warm-hearted and likeable Gordon seems.
Amazingly, Gordon fell in to being an agent after a chance meeting with Jimi Hendrix. From there, Myers chronicles Gordon's work with Alice Cooper, helping the shock rocker rise to superstardom, and a wide range of other friends and clients, including Michael Douglas, Teddy Pendergrass, Anne Murray and Sylvester Stallone.
A food aficionado, Gordon has also boasted a long client-list of cooks – Emeril Lagasse credits him for creating the phenomenon of the celebrity chef.
Throughout the movie, Myers's emphasis is on showing why Gordon is so lovable, including his open-door policy at his house in Maui, Hawaii, where Myers – who met Gordon while making Wayne's World – stayed for two months after going through a tough time. Gordon, too, has had his share of hardship, with this sometimes scattered documentary showing how he longs for a family to call his own.
The film has some great anecdotes about living the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, and while Gordon may be a minor figure at best, he is, as this film shows, exactly what a mensch should be.
Dave McGinn