Santa Barbara International Film Festival – Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection is a definitive Carpenters documentary. Looking back at the iconic music duo, we are wistfully guided by director Randy Martin‘s obvious admiration for his subject. Assisted by writer Randy Schmidt, we look back at a talented duo and the demons that did them in. The focus of Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection isn’t talent lost, but the lack of understanding and awareness that possibly had a hand in ignoring the signs of demise. This is a cautionary look back at iconic talent lost at the hands of ignorance.

Martin and Schmidt work as a storytellers and build their doc by familiarizing the audience with their subject. As if to gently telegraph to the uninitiated, we enjoy a parade of icons effusing about working with the Carpenters or the genius of their work. Carol Burnett, Kristin Chenoweth, Olivia Newton-John, Suzanne Somers, Carnie Wilson among others all reflect of the impact that both Richard and Karen’s work had on them.

Once the fanfare is over, we can look back on history. Martin pulls back the reigns and goes into an investigative mode for a bit. We learn about the humble New England roots of Karen and Richard’s parents. We learn how parents Agnes and Harold spotted prodigy-level musical talent in their son Richard. We learn how they initially sidelined tomboy-leaning Karen until she showed a talent for percussion and vocals. We also watch as the family moves across the country for their son’s benefit, only to see their daughter blossom.

Storywise the pieces are set. Through archival footage, interviews, and reflection,  we are guided to see how the two siblings found success while the oppressive expectations heaped upon them did nothing but make things worse. As the musical wunderkind, Richard succumbs to drug addiction, and Karen falls victim to the (at the time) novel eating disorder Anorexia Nervosa. Richard receives sympathy. Karen receives ridicule.

Martin carefully monitors the lines of narrative and timelines. We are carefully guided through the chronology of developments with a rich collection of archival footage, interviews, and firsthand accounts that truly bring the subject to life. Most touching are the accounts from Burnett, and Newton-John. Burnett recalls working with them on her show and how easily she harmonized with them, jokingly asking to go on tour with the duo. Meanwhile, Newton-John reflects on Karen as a peer who understood the pressure of fame, ultimately longing for true love and connection.

We all know that Karen ultimately fell victim to her eating disorder in hopes of ultimate approval. Dying from cardiac arrest in the home she bought for her parents, Karen was still looked down upon as a gaunt, secretive talent with a dark side. We are reminded that since, many other icons including Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and others, enjoyed the luxury of patience and understanding from their fans.

It seems that aside from accuracy and scope Martin‘s doc aims for compassion and recognition. While Richard lives today, building a body of work to mourn his sister, Karen could have easily been saved from death with a bit more understanding and a lot less stigma.

An opportunity lost.

8 out of 10