My Best Fiend

At first glance, the title of the movie "My Best Fiend" would appear to be an inadvertent, almost hilarious misspelling. But as it turns out, you couldn't find a more appropriate description for this surprisingly compelling documentary.

Director Werner Herzog attempts to explain the love-hate relationship between himself and the late actor Klaus Kinski, with whom he worked on five films (1972's "Aguirre, the Wrath of God," the 1979 remake of "Nosferatu," 1979's "Woyzeck," 1982's "Fitzcarraldo" and 1988's "Cobra Verde").

He may not exactly accomplish that feat, but the film does become a fascinating portrait of the talented but mercurial Kinski, whose collaborations with Herzog are among the highlights of his feature filmmaking career.

Herzog starts his story by describing his first meeting with the actor, who shared the same apartment with the then-13-year-old schoolboy in Munich.

Despite witnessing many of Kinski's fits of rage and destruction, Herzog remained fascinated with the actor and later asked him to star as the title character of "Aguirre, the Wrath of God." But the working relationship almost ended there, as Kinski's wild tantrums terrified the crew and his fellow cast members.

However, as noted by Herzog, as well as actresses Claudia Cardinale and Eva Mattes (his co-stars in "Fitzcarraldo" and "Woyzeck," respectively), Kinski was clearly a talent to be reckoned with and did have a sweeter, more clear-headed side that emerged at times.

It's a little troubling that Herzog never attempts to delve into Kinski's pre-filmmaking past to find out what caused his erratic behavior. Also, there are times when the filmmaker/narrator starts to sound a little full of himself.

But in other places he seems almost wistful, especially as he recalls a warm reunion with Kinski at the Telluride Film Festival. And there's more than enough food for thought here as it is.

Besides, the film also boasts footage from some of Kinski's best work on screen, rare documentation of his audacious "Jesus Tour" and a scene from the aborted original version of "Fitzcarraldo," with Jason Robards playing the role Kinski later assumed.

"My Best Fiend" is not rated but would probably receive an R for occasional strong profanity and use of crude slang, violence (some of Kinski's tantrums), native nudity and brief gore. Running time: 95 minutes.

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com