Don Argott's recent art doc The Art of the Steal tells an entertaining and infuriating story of corrupt politicians and lawyers out to to acquire one man's private treasure after his death. Argott starts off making you think you're watching a run of the mill, boring documentary about Albert Brooks, a massively rich private art collector. He does this intentionally to draw you into the crazy shenanigans that take place after his death.
Brooks left his art collection to a board of trustees with a huge chunk of money and a will that explicitly stated that the collection could only be used for educational purposes, could never be moved, and could never be sold. After a few peaceful years, the lawyers and politicians get involved in trying to get the art out of Barnes' home and into a venue where they can make some money.
The movie ends up playing like a heist thriller, focusing on how the bad guys ultimately got away with stealing the loop holes in the legal system. It's not the JFK of art documentaries, as I've read elsewhere, but it is very entertaining and thrilling, while keeping things mostly apolitical.
Argott does balance the picture nicely by emphasizing how great it would be for the general public to see all of this amazing art. Barnes' will initially allowed for his house to open to the public 2-3 days a week for free. While Argott condemns everyone trying to stomp on the will of a man, he recognizes that more than a couple dozen people a week need to see this art.
8.o
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