> REVIEW
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Radioman (2012)
Rags to reality…
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By Simon Francis | October 2012
DIRECTOR: Mary Kerr
Over the years, Craig Castaldo, aka Radioman has become something of a lucky charm to the movie industry he so fervently adores. An ever present on New York film sets, the former homeless, Santa bearded eccentric has nabbed himself minor parts in numerous movies, including the likes of Spider-Man 3, Backdraft and Shutter Island; a role which put him on first name terms with ‘Marty’.
Riding his bike around the city, with his signature radio tied around his neck, in search of the latest production, Castaldo’s unyielding obsession for all things film makes it easy to see why stars such as George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp so warmly welcome his presence whenever they’re shooting in the Big Apple.
With her debut documentary, director Mary Kerr attempts to unravel the mystery of NYC’s leading extra. Delving beyond the kooky personality that has earned him his moniker with the Hollywood A-listers, Kerr is keen to emphasis Castaldo’s time as a vagrant and it’s with a candid, poignant sense of clarity that he recalls his troubled childhood and subsequent battles with alcoholism which ultimately led to his extended stint on the streets.
And it’s here that Kerr attempts to strike a sense of balance with her doc. Between the glowing tributes and hearty endorsements from Robin Williams and co, stands a man stuck on the fringes of a dream. Forever destined to be cast in the role of mascot.
At one point, Castaldo found himself in trouble with the police and launched into a celebrity-laced tirade, yelling at the officer to ‘Call Marty!’, ‘Call De Niro!’ and was hastily committed to Bellevue Mental Institution.
Kerr emphasises her point further when she trails Castaldo to LA to attend the Oscars. Dressed in a tuxedo, he quickly finds himself shunned from the after parties and spends much of his time watching proceedings from his hotel room. It’s a sharp, telling reminder of Radioman’s place in the industry.
Subject……………………………………………………………………………..……………..
From vagrant to cultural institution, get ready to meet NYC’s most famous film
extra. 3
Direction………………………………………………………………………………..…………
Kerr lacks focus at times, as she struggles to convey her overriding themes with
her contradictory subject (Radioman wants to be taken more seriously as an
actor, yet confesses, ‘I am what I am’), but her lean runtime and curious
celebrity rapport makes for an intriguing peek behind the camera. 3
Verdict………………………………………………………………………………………………
A brief, yet compelling insight into the pursuit and trappings of fame. 3
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