Lee Friedlander, a 20th-century snapper more celebrated for his political connections in the photography world than his actual talent, is given the full-blown treatment and falls flat.

Let me know when he actually makes some art. Photography is rather mundane and talentless these days. You can stick a camera in a cell phone and anyone can take great pictures, but you can't stick a chisel or a paintbrush in one and expect anyone to make a great sculpture or painting. What's more, photographers tend to depend on the talent of others moreso than any other respected art, such as models, make-up artists, costume designers, lighting artists, scultpors, gardeners, city planners, etc. John Waters revealed to the world that any Pecker can snap a moment in time artfully with a camera. And he should know.

This really needs more defense. He's buried next to any of those photographers, and I don't even think much of Arbus.