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From DOGE to "space lasers," Alex Gibney peels back the many layers of Elon Musk
Developing
In Short: Director Alex Gibney's new documentary 'Musk' delves into the complex and controversial life of tech mogul Elon Musk, revealing his influence on politics and culture.
Alex Gibney's new documentary 'Musk' offers a comprehensive look at the life and impact of tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, from his early days in Silicon Valley to his current role as one of the world's wealthiest individuals.
Gibney, who first began the project in 2023, retooled it to reflect the breadth of Musk's influence, describing him as a 'danger to society' and noting his 'shadow vice president' status during the 2024 campaign.
The film features interviews with key figures in Musk's life, including his father Errol, ex-wives, and former business associates, providing a multifaceted view of the tech titan.
Gibney's documentary spans three hours and 45 minutes, including a 10-minute intermission, and covers Musk's ventures from Tesla to his involvement in the federal government through his cost-cutting efforts, known as DOGE.
Despite few new revelations, the film's extensive coverage of Musk's actions and their consequences makes for a compelling and comprehensive account of a man who has significantly shaped modern life.
What's still developing
- It left a real mark on Eberhard's mind, since Musk would later take unconditional credit for Tesla's runaway success and anoint himself its sole founder, setting off litigation and an eventual settlement that allowed Eberhard and Musk, along with three others, to all claim the title of co-founders of Tesla Motors.
- Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard remembers having dinner with Elon Musk in the early 2000s, when the billionaire became a key investor in the fledgling electric car company.
- Director Alex Gibney believes those remarks provide a glimpse into who Musk really is: A confidence man who will deceive, gaslight and fabricate to get what he wants.
- Eberhard is one of many people who fell in and out of Musk's world who are featured in Gibney's new documentary, Musk, which never drags despite its three hour and 45 minute runtime (which includes a 10-minute intermission).
- While many people may be familiar with the general outlines of Musk's story, Gibney taps pivotal characters at crucial moments for the tech mogul to infuse this biography with new life.
- I've covered Musk for years, and have been the target of his attacks, so I was initially interested in whether Gibney would dredge up any new revelations, or connect the dots in ways obscured by the steady stream of news about Musk and his many ventures.
- While there were very few nuggets of new information, the sheer breadth of the film makes for a stunningly comprehensive accounting of a man Gibney considers a danger to society.
- We hear from Musk's father, Errol, reflecting on how his son was bullied as a child, there are interviews with Musk's scorned exes, including his first wife, Justine Musk, prying journalists and former business associates who once occupied his orbit.
Sources
- R Street Institutelink