You are probably very familiar with Drew Struzan’s iconic work, but have no idea who he is. Drew: The Man Behind the Poster is a documentary about Struzan’s life and how his work, specifically film posters, has become a casualty of profit instead of an evocative, imaginative extension of the film. Struzan made posters for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, Hell Boy, the Muppets movies. He also painted for album and book covers. For fans of The Mist, the main character is an unofficial tribute to Struzan.
Drew: The Man Behind the Poster is a must see for movie lovers, but those unfamiliar with his work will also be transfixed by his life. My mom loved hearing the interviews with this soft-spoken, understated master. Struzan’s childhood is extremely stark and loveless, but he manages to find love and become a good husband, father and grandfather. Even though he is the best in the business, he was exploited financially and lived in poverty for a great part of his life. Drew: The Man Behind the Poster tells the inspirational rags to riches to story without glorifying the journey or minimizing the obstacles in his life. Drew: The Man Behind the Poster tells the story of a literal starving artist who transformed the practical into artistic triumphs that contributed to the success of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.