What is there to say about Christopher Doyle that hasn't already been said at length? Capturing first the eyes, then the minds, then the hearts of film fans all across the globe, the maverick cinematographer has consistently been one of the most exciting, innovating, rewarding artists in film since his career began nearly 40 years ago. Just about all there is to be written about Doyle has already been written, yet none of it has come even halfway close to describing the astonishing beauty and creativity of his cinematography.
So all I'm going to say is this: he's still underrated. This man may be the most skilled human being on the planet with a camera, as evidenced in his outrageously ambitious technical shots. He may also be one of the world's most idiosyncratic and inspired visual minds. He may, indeed, come to be remembered, decades from now, as the greatest cinematographer who has yet graced our screens with their brilliance. To garner inclusion in my CineTributes feature (of which Doyle will be the last), all a cinematographer needed to show was that their greatness has as yet failed to be acknowledged by th Academy with an Oscar nomination. Doyle deserves to have won many, and has been in the conversations for nominations for a few, but they're still yet to rank any of his achievements as among the five finest cinematographic achievements of any given year. Judging by the current trajectory of his fascinating career, it doesn't look like that's about to change any time soon. And why should it? Looks like Chris doesn't much care for awards recognition, and good for him. Those who need to know do know, and we know he's one of the all-time greats. Enjoy the video, and be sure to check out my Vimeo page where all 31 CineTributes have been gathered for your viewing pleasure!
Films featured
That Day, on the Beach, 1983
My Heart Is That Eternal Rose, 1989
Days of Being Wild, 1990
Chungking Express, 1994
Ashes of Time, 1994
Fallen Angels, 1995
Temptress Moon, 1996
Happy Together, 1997
Away with Words, 1999
In the Mood for Love, 2000
Rabbit-Proof Fence, 2002
Hero, 2002
Last Life in the Universe, 2003
2046, 2004
Dumplings, 2004
The White Coutness, 2005
Invisible Waves, 2006
Lady in the Water, 2006
Paranoid Park, 2007
The Limits of Control, 2009
Magic Magic, 2013