Routine Pleasures (1986)
A meditative documentary weaving model railroad obsession with conversations between filmmaker Jean-Pierre Gorin and legendary critic Manny Farber.
Routine Pleasures - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1986
- Directed by: Jean-Pierre Gorin
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 21m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 30, 1986 (United States - NR)
- Production Companies: ZDF, Channel 4 Television, INA
- Production Countries: France, Germany, United Kingdom
Routine Pleasures - Plot
Jean-Pierre Gorin interacts with a club of model railroad train enthusiasts and his mentor, artist/writer Manny Farber.
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Routine Pleasures - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jean-Pierre Gorin
Main Cast
- Jean-Pierre Gorin
- Manny Farber
- Jean-Luc Godard
Writers
- Jean-Pierre Gorin
- Patrick Amos
Routine Pleasures - FAQs
What is Routine Pleasures about?
Routine Pleasures follows filmmaker Jean-Pierre Gorin as he spends time with a Southern California model railroad club, weaving their obsessive hobby into a meditation on art, criticism, and everyday ritual. The film also features extended conversations with legendary film critic and painter Manny Farber, Gorin's longtime mentor and intellectual companion.
What makes Routine Pleasures an unusual documentary?
Rather than following a conventional narrative, the film blends observational footage of model train hobbyists with essayistic reflections on art and cinema. Gorin uses the miniature trains as a lens to explore larger ideas about pleasure, obsession, and the act of looking — making it as much a philosophical essay as a documentary.
Where can you stream Routine Pleasures?
You can stream Routine Pleasures on the Criterion Channel. It's a fitting home for the film, given the Criterion Channel's dedication to curating adventurous, intellectually rich cinema from around the world.
Who is Manny Farber and why does he matter here?
Manny Farber was one of the most original and influential film critics of the 20th century, celebrated for his concept of “termite art” — small, unpretentious work that burrows into the edges of culture. In Routine Pleasures, he appears as Gorin's mentor, and their exchanges give the film much of its intellectual energy and warmth.
Who directed Routine Pleasures and what is his background?
Jean-Pierre Gorin directed the film. A French-born filmmaker, Gorin is best known for his earlier collaboration with Jean-Luc Godard as part of the Dziga Vertov Group in the early 1970s. Routine Pleasures marked a more personal, essayistic turn in his work, reflecting his life and intellectual world in California.
Does Jean-Luc Godard appear in Routine Pleasures?
Godard appears in the film through archive photos rather than in person. Given Gorin's close creative history with Godard — they co-directed several films together — his presence in the documentary feels like a meaningful acknowledgment of that formative partnership, even if only glimpsed through still images.
How long is Routine Pleasures?
Routine Pleasures runs 81 minutes — a compact, unhurried runtime that suits its contemplative, essay-film style perfectly. It never overstays its welcome, moving fluidly between the model train club and Gorin's conversations with Manny Farber.
Is Routine Pleasures worth watching for film enthusiasts?
Absolutely, especially for viewers drawn to essay cinema and film criticism. The combination of Gorin's sharp, playful intelligence and Manny Farber's singular voice makes for a rare documentary that thinks deeply about art and pleasure. It's a quiet gem that rewards patient, curious viewers.
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