Television
Eleven Fulfilling--and Emotional--Minutes
By Molly Sullivan |
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 Eleven minutes is all you get as a fashion designer to prove yourself. And audiences finally get to see Jay McCarroll’s (of “Project Runway” fame) eleven minutes at Bryant Park in the new documentary by Michael Selditch and Robert Tate, perfectly titled Eleven Minutes.
What this film gives viewers is a glimpse into what it really takes to be a fashion designer: the minor details of what you need to have ready and where this can all lead or not lead as the case may be.
What this film doesn’t give us is any more dirt on “Project Runway” (for those of you who may have been hoping for it).
Eleven Minutes isn’t about reality TV or even about McCarroll, it’s about the process of putting on a fashion show. Viewers are taken inside during the moments when McCarroll has no backers for his first independent runway show for New York's Fashion Week (and therefore no show) to minutes before the show when there are no shoes for the models. We don’t just see what he is going through, but we see what everyone who is helping him is going through--everyone from the friends who work for him for free to the publicists who drive him insane.
 The film is pieced together seamlessly as we move from time to time, place to place and character to character. The more “minor” characters are some of the most interesting. We meet McCarroll’s friends, who all are behind him in putting the collection together. We meet the shoemaker, Anthony Cady. We meet the hair/wig designer, Jason Low, who is simply one of the most fun people in the documentary even though he only appears in the film for mere minutes. And we meet the publicists at People’s Revolution--it’s clear that McCarroll struggles a bit with this group.
However, one of the highlights of this documentary is the glimpse at jewelry designer Lola Brooks. McCarroll says that she has no desire for her work to hit the big time and likes to keep her business simple, but the work she does is something to see. Without ruining anything, in the final show there is a yellow dress accessorized with a metal birdcage (with a metal bird in it) on a chain carried as a purse and it is the one piece you cannot miss in the film. Her role and work is far too downplayed, although it may have been just what she wanted.
Eleven Minutes gives audiences a wonderful overview of this career and process. There are a few highs and many lows. McCarroll comes off exactly how he sees himself--creative, stubborn, insecure and driven to do just what he wants. The film isn’t biased in showing his character--viewers see both the good and hopeful and the upset and demanding.
 Plus viewers also get a showcase of McCarroll’s work. Some of the pieces are impressive and unique, while he also shows things a little more mainstream. Audiences get to see his viewpoint that may be a bit off with most, but surely can have its place in fashion. Unfortunately, McCarroll doesn’t always completely stick to what fans expect or want to see, as viewers will also see some simple, everyday pieces that he shops around to different stores. This is where we feel a low, seeing him design something so casual and somewhat bland. It just doesn’t excite the viewer and it seems that some of the shops would agree.
While the documentary may leave you feeling bad for McCarroll or just not sure about its outcome, Eleven Minutes is worth seeing for so many other reasons. It isn’t about McCarroll or the outcome in the end, it’s about what has all gone into creating these eleven minutes.
Eleven Minutes is now playing at the Laemmle Sunset 5 and on HERE! Networks.
For more information, visit elevenminutes-jaymccarroll.com.
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