Dropped out of college. Lied his way into the mailroom. Built a billion-dollar empire shaping the careers of Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, and Guns N’ Roses.
Then he built a movie studio.
Thanks to Eric Sternbach for moving this “doc “Inventing David Geffen” up in my queue.
Trailer for “Inventing David Geffen”
Watch “Inventing David Geffen”
You can watch “Inventing David Geffen” on HBO Max at https://play.max.com/video/watch/40be2568-ef35-4b0e-a7fe-06e2359821f3
You can find the latest streaming options at https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/inventing-david-geffen
Ratings:
- My Rating: 91/100
- IMDB Rating: na
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na
Release Date: Release Date: November 20, 2012
My Review of “Inventing David Geffen”
The Setup
“Inventing David Geffen” is a 113-minute documentary directed by Susan Lacy (also known for American Masters and Judy Garland: By Myself).
It’s part of American Masters Season 26, Episode 6, and explores how David Geffen became one of the most powerful figures in music, film, and business.
He starts as an ambitious kid from Brooklyn, lies his way into a job at the William Morris Agency, launches his own record labels, and eventually co-founds DreamWorks with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Geffen lied on his application to the William Morris Agency, claiming he graduated from UCLA. He even intercepted a letter sent to William Morris that said he hadn’t graduated to keep his secret from being exposed.
- Geffen had the top three selling albums at the same time: Bob Dylan & The Band, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon.
- Taste! — His first three Geffen Records artists were John Lennon, Donna Summer, and Elton John.
- He was with Yoko Ono when doctors told her John Lennon was dead. Geffen was physically holding Yoko when she was told Lennon had died. When Geffen took Yoko home to the Dakota, he saw a giant cutout of Billboard rankings with Lennon’s album at #8, with an arrow pointing up to #1. A week later, the album was #1.
- He sued Neil Young for making albums that were too experimental and didn’t sell well.
More Highlights from the Doc
- He had his first heterosexual relationship with Cher, who said he was “the most loving boyfriend in the world.” But Cher later left him for Gregg Allman.
- Therapy with Warren Beatty’s Therapist: Geffen convinced Beatty’s therapist to see him every day for three years.
- Vice Chairman of Warner: He personally asked the boss to leave, but then Ross appointed him Vice Chairman—only to fire him soon after.
- Geffen Records Launch: He partnered with Mo Ostin to create Geffen Records, signing John Lennon, Donna Summer, and Elton John as his first three artists.
- He sold Asylum Records to Warner, then got named Vice Chairman of Warner Pictures—only to be fired shortly after.
- While in Paris with Robbie Robertson and Joni Mitchell, Joni wrote Free Man in Paris about him and the pressures of the music business.
- In 1976, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer—but it turned out to be a misdiagnosis.
- Risky Business: One of Geffen’s first movies. He convinced the director to change the ending so Tom Cruise’s character gets into Princeton instead of being rejected.
- He became one of the biggest contributors to AIDS research.
- He co-founded DreamWorks with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, producing Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, American Beauty, Shrek, and Saving Private Ryan.
Cameos
The documentary features interviews with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Joni Mitchell, Elton John, Jackson Browne, Cher, and Robbie Robertson.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Misdiagnosed Cancer: Geffen left the industry in 1976 after being told he had bladder cancer. It turned out to be a mistake.
- A Master of Cutting Ties: Despite his friendships, Geffen was not afraid to cut people loose if they weren’t meeting expectations.
- DreamWorks’ Hits: The studio was behind some of the most iconic films of the era, including Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, Shrek, American Beauty, and Saving Private Ryan.
- He was deeply involved in philanthropy, becoming one of the biggest donors to AIDS research.
Wrap Up
David Geffen is a fascinating case study in power, reinvention, and control.
He could spot talent before anyone else and wasn’t afraid to take risks—even if it meant burning bridges. “Inventing David Geffen” does a great job unpacking the complexities of his career and personal life, showing how he shaped music, film, and even philanthropy.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc