My Mentor...Paul Johnson

[Graham Cox]

After reading the reviews of this film, I do not think I want to watch it. The distributor's subject classification says it all - mental health and addiction. I prefer to celebrate a person's achievements rather than exclusively focus on their flaws. Paul achieved so much, and the film (according to the reviews) only briefly allows the viewer to glimpse those achievements, using them merely as a juxtaposition that highlights his last days. For most of the film, the camera never leaves his side aboard Cherub in Carriacou, or ashore drinking and trying to buy more booze. He is portrayed as sad and lonely, paging through albums of old photos and crying. This may have been an unavoidable coda to the film, but I'd have loved a more balanced documentary that explored his life in full, showing his astonishing life as a sailor, using archival material and interviews with friends, etc, without omitting his flaws. That would have made a great documentary for sailors, dreamers, and anyone who loves extraordinary characters. The intended audience for this film are not sailors.

[wizbang 13]

It is not a documentary about Johnson, as I understand it.
She wanted to do a film about sacrifices people make to be "free".
Her plan was to focus on the cruising community, but then found Johnson, who exemplefied her whole quest.
But yea, the trailer is bleak, and Johnson was in rough effing shape those last few years.
Several times I was called over to his boat to see if he was still alive, after not being seen on deck for days.
Once there were three of us in a dingy hanging off the side of de bote calling his name. We did rock paper scisors to see who would finally go below to see if he was alive.

[wizbang 13]

Several people who were "amazing" to me in my youth ended up like this.
Folks I thought walked 2 feet above the ground, fell to earth over booze, poverty,coke or laziness
The Sunny Caribee beats long timers up badly that way.
bruce

[Graham Cox]

I guess it is a good documentary according to its themes, a salutary lesson for others, perhaps. I sometimes reflect upon the price I paid for my 'freedom' (is anybody really free), but there never seemed a choice, and I wonder if there is for others. I gave up booze in my late 30s, realising it was dragging me down the thorny path. I was saved by my passion to sail. At 70, it remains undiminished, I am happiest when I have a tiller in my hand, and clearing the breakwater is still the greatest thrill I know. I have regrets. I adore children, for instance, though I have never managed a long-term relationship or fathered any. My spirit was like some shy, wild animal. Luckily, I have a lot of friends, they are my treasure. But no complaints, except when I get creakily out of my bunk! I know I won't be able to sail forever, my health is already diminished, but I would if I could.

[Hwyl]

Here is the movie.

[wizbang 13]

I just put a new coat of varnish on his “head stone”, which is a piece of wood , about three days ago.
He’s buried half a mile from where he was anchored those last few years in Carriacou.
Graves are left to settle a few years here before a “proper”
stone is installed, which is being organized by a few of his kids.
His last boat,Cherib, has been getting lots of love and TLC from her new master, sailed a bit in the Grenada Classic, is in Grenada now.
There are about five short films … “the making of” type on YouTube, that touch a bit on who he was, his friends here , a bit more than the actual movie. More up lifting for sure , and worth’s gander .

[Brian Palmer]

I watched this last night. There were some melancholy scenes for sure, especially when he says how he misses not seeing his children, and he worries whether he has been selfish. But there are also the scenes where his friends step up to check in on him and make sure he is OK.
I am sure the documentary could not fully portray the whole breadth of the man or his life, or even that last bit of it. That is just not feasible.
Like many older people, he could have been living in a row house in some city and have much of the same emotional and practical challenges, but we don't pay them much attention.
I think there was a lot there for us to think about how people live their lives, especially near the end.

[johngsandusky]

Thanks for posting it, I'll watch later.

[AJBTC]

Thanks for all these posts, I had never heard of Paul Johnson before. I enjoyed the article written from your wife, Bruce, and looking at Paul's designs on the internet.

[gray duck]

Watched it a couple of weeks ago. Lots to ponder on. Two thumbs up. Some good lines "I'm good but I'm thinking about being..." insert laughing emoji

[wizbang 13]

Thanks for all these posts, I had never heard of Paul Johnson before. I enjoyed the article written from your wife, Bruce, and looking at Paul's designs on the internet.

thank you ajbtc, You gave Jan a good feeling when I read your words to her .
And thank you Brian Palmer, your words made me feel better .

[Barbarus]

I watched the film and those "making of" shorts last weekend. I quit drinking 16yrs ago and lost my own father to alcoholism too, but I really wish the filmmakers had delved more deeply into his boats and other accomplishments. The cinematography was excellent, but the filmmakers may've been simply too young to properly appreciate the man.

[leaotis]

As a young feller in the early 80s hanging around Yacht Haven in St.Thomas, I often heard, "look, there's a Venus!", and the name Paul Johnson spoken with reverence.
I watched the movie but wish it has spend more time on his accomplishments and boats. I want to know more about Paul Johnson.

I consumed my lifetime's allotment of booze by the time I was 30, quit, and moved ashore.

[Yeadon]

I just watched this last night. What an interesting soul. There was one scene of Cherub being sailed. That hull was lovely. The rig made sense. Paul Johnson got it.

I'd like to see Carriacou.

[darroch]

That is one sad film. I need to read Jan's article to shake it off.

[WX]

I guess it is a good documentary according to its themes, a salutary lesson for others, perhaps. I sometimes reflect upon the price I paid for my 'freedom' (is anybody really free), but there never seemed a choice, and I wonder if there is for others. I gave up booze in my late 30s, realising it was dragging me down the thorny path. I was saved by my passion to sail. At 70, it remains undiminished, I am happiest when I have a tiller in my hand, and clearing the breakwater is still the greatest thrill I know. I have regrets. I adore children, for instance, though I have never managed a long-term relationship or fathered any. My spirit was like some shy, wild animal. Luckily, I have a lot of friends, they are my treasure. But no complaints, except when I get creakily out of my bunk! I know I won't be able to sail forever, my health is already diminished, but I would if I could.

Hey Graham, good to see you here mate.

[WX]

I guess it is a good documentary according to its themes, a salutary lesson for others, perhaps. I sometimes reflect upon the price I paid for my 'freedom' (is anybody really free), but there never seemed a choice, and I wonder if there is for others. I gave up booze in my late 30s, realising it was dragging me down the thorny path. I was saved by my passion to sail. At 70, it remains undiminished, I am happiest when I have a tiller in my hand, and clearing the breakwater is still the greatest thrill I know. I have regrets. I adore children, for instance, though I have never managed a long-term relationship or fathered any. My spirit was like some shy, wild animal. Luckily, I have a lot of friends, they are my treasure. But no complaints, except when I get creakily out of my bunk! I know I won't be able to sail forever, my health is already diminished, but I would if I could.

Hey Graham, good to see you here mate.
Cheers, Gary