Synopsis
“The Last Days of Jonathan Perlo”
“The Last Days of Jonathan Perlo” is an uninhibited documentary that details the strange and unknown life of a Hollywood recluse and the relationship he shared with his unlikely friend and mentor. Shot in mostly Hi8 footage during the summer of 1990, the documentary gives us a raw and candid view of two very different men, the travails they encountered, and the demons they ultimately shared.
Jonathan Perlo, an elderly man whose questionable past as a Hollywood actor was far behind him, lived a reclusive life in his small Hollywood apartment, his only access to the outside world, the telephone, which became the vehicle for many of his “visits” to county jail. When a young up and coming actor named Scott Plank befriended Jonathan in the apartment complex lobby, a unique and somewhat misguided friendship blossomed.
The film offers glimpses into the lives of both men: Jonathan going to court, charged with making 52 calls to 911, Scott’s sadly comedic trip to the Broward county alcohol testing facility, Jonathan and Scott sharing a trip to see the dentist. Over time, Scott and Jonathan would see many battles, with themselves, their obsessions, and their egos. Through it all, they remained the dearest of friends, until Jonathan’s ultimate death in 2000. This film is a tribute to both men, their successes and failures, and the example they might set for anyone blinded by the allure of the Hollywood dream. |
