Legendary casting director Marion Dougherty, featured in the HBO Documentary "Casting By" (Facebook).

The director may have the final say on most creative aspects, but he/she relies on the works of editors, production designers, directors of photography, costume designers, and a bevy of other people in order to achieve the final vision.

HBO’s documentary “Casting By” gently fights the monopoly directors have on creative authority. By focusing on the casting legend Marion Dougherty, the Tom Donahue film provides a revelatory look into the production of some of the most iconic films of the 20th century.  

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The documentary takes no time in getting its point across. Starting with a testimonial from Martin Scorsese himself, the film’s many sound bites praising the work of casting directors make you wonder why they don’t get more attention.

Other important figures follow in Scorsese’s lead: Robert DeNiro, Woody Allen, Robert Duvall, Al Pacino and more all wax reverent about the influence casting directors have on how a film develops.

The division between men and women can’t help but make itself noticeable. The documentary acknowledges this gendered profession—while the interviewees all reinforce how it’s a partnership, it’s still a partnership where the casting director tries to “create their vision.”

The film ultimately focuses in on a single casting director (and her associates), which helps move the focus towards the talent and influence of an individual person. It doesn’t eschew politics entirely, however, but it spends more time discussing the fight for recognition than the gender inequality between the two professions. 

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After the documentary introduces the role and importance of casting directors, it moves on to its main subject: Marion Dougherty.

Without her input as casting director, stars like James Dean, Jon Voight, Robert Redford and Glenn Close would have never received their big breaks on screen. She helped usher in a new generation of Hollywood stars—ones who came from theater and had individual character rather than an attractive appearance. These qualities strayed heavily from the typecast-heavy film stars of classic Hollywood.

Of course, the film drives home the influence New York had on Dougherty’s work—the interviewees throw around the word “real” more than enough times. 

Dougherty herself speaks throughout the film while giving off a nonchalant and casual air. She talks about her relationships to various actors and directors with very little ego.

The documentary doesn’t let her exist purely in her humility, however—the far-reaching footage of her classic 3x5 cards on various actors and screen tests of greats like Christopher Walken reinforce how deep her decisions go. The tangent of Lynn Stalmaster’s career demonstrated how she influenced not only directors but also other casting professionals. 

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The documentary functions primarily as a source of countless stories. The fascinating world of Dougherty’s film interactions unfolds with each actor about which she reminisces.

Sure, it’s peppered with the occasional sound bite about the underlying sexism and the difficulties gaining respect, but it really just wants to chronicle Marion Dougherty’s life. This decision ends up serving casting directors well and providing them with the respect they deserve.

Viewers just need to be able to connect with Marion’s story on screen. We respect Marion, and by extension all casting departments, in the process. “Casting By” functions as the audition with the viewers as casting director: Dougherty’s talent shines through and it’s up to us to propagate her talent and legacy. 

Ms. Dougherty passed away in 2011.

"Casting By" comes to theaters November 1st.

Reach Staff Reporter Annie Lloyd here. Follow her on Twitter here.