Film review: Supermensch: The legend of Shep Gordon

Austin Powers creator Mike Myers makes his debut as a documentary filmmaker with this affectionate portrait of the American talent manager and agent, who guided the careers – sometimes briefly – of an eclectic client list including Blondie, Alice Cooper, Groucho Marx, Anne Murray, Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross.

Shep Gordon.
Courtesy of RADiUS-TWC — Shep Gordon. Courtesy of RADiUS-TWC

Myers met Gordon in 1991 during the making of Wayne’s World to secure the use of a song by Cooper on the soundtrack.

They became friends and when Myers subsequently lost his way, Gordon cared for the actor and buoyed his spirits during two months of recuperation at Gordon’s home on Maui.

In Supermensch, Myers relives the highs and lows of Gordon’s remarkable career, focusing on his relationship with Cooper, who he famously transformed into a shock-rock superstar thanks to an infamous stunt with a live chicken on stage.

Candid revelations from Gordon are intercut with archive footage and contributions from Hollywood friends and admirers including Tom Arnold, Michael Douglas and Sylvester Stallone.