Auto Focus MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 Content: -4

The TV show Hogans Heroes aired from 1965 to 1971 and is still a syndication favorite on many independent stations. Series star Bob Crane (Greg Kinnear) began his career as a radio personality in Los Angeles. Happily married to Ann (Rita Wilson), Bob appears to be a respectable, church-going family man. But Crane has a growing and hidden addiction. As an avid photographer, Bob says the pornographic magazines Ann finds in his garage darkroom are harmless research for his hobby. On the studio lots, Crane meets John Carpenter (Willem Dafoe), a sales technician for production audio and video equipment. Carpenter sees Bobs star status as a lure for women. Soon, he and Bob are sharing sexual orgies, which Crane photographs and later videotapes. He also begins a torrid affair with Patti Olson (Maria Bello), an actress on the Hogan set. After finding pictures of his activities, Ann divorces Bob, who then marries Patti. Despite their open relationship, Patti later files for divorce. As Cranes world begins to fall apart, he finally realizes the need to end his addictive hobby. But Carpenter, who loses his job when color video reveals his color-blindness, depends on Bob for support and a steady stream of women. Crane is found in a motel room in Arizona, killed by a blow to the head, but no conviction is ever made. A revealing depiction of the unknown side of Bob Crane, this film is mainly for the curious rather than fans of the TV series.

Unfortunately, the film seems to concentrate on the pornographic sexual encounters, including full female nudity in a few cases. Vulgar language also fills the dialogue with obscenities and strong profanity as well as crude sexual remarks. While it vividly displays the downward spiral of sexual addiction begun with 'harmless' pornographic magazines, AUTO FOCUS depicts the message with unnecessarily pornographic images.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics, 550 Madison Ave., 8th Flr., New York, NY, 10022