A passionate liberal, Wexler produced, directed, wrote and photographed one of the most devastating and technically sophisticated anti-establishment films ever made, MEDIUM COOL (1969). Drawing on the stylistic and theoretical advances made by such vanguard figures as Jean-Luc Godard, and taking its title almost straight from mouth of media guru Marshall McLuhan, MEDIUM COOL was set and filmed during the 1968 Chicago Democratic convention. It chronicles -- in striking, neo-documentary style -- the affairs, both professional and amorous, of a detached TV news cameraman (Robert Forster) as he becomes increasingly aware of the political ramifications of his work. The film remains a landmark of political cinema and an insightful essay on the "cool medium."
As a director of photography Wexler has lent his talent to a number of important features, tackling such charged issues as racism (IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, 1967), Vietnam (COMING HOME, 1978), union busting (MATEWAN, 1987) and urban gang warfare (COLORS, 1988). Other highlights of his work include WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (1966) and THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (1968). He shot the concert scenes for THE ROSE (1979), provided additional photography on George Lucas' AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973) and Terrence Mallick's DAYS OF HEAVEN (1978). Other notable (non-nominated) feature credits include AMERICA, AMERICA (1963), THE BEST MAN (1964), THE LOVED ONE (1965), THE MAN WHO LOVED WOMEN (1983), THE BABE (1992), THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH (1994), CANADIAN BACON (1995), MULHOLLAND FALLS (1996), and THE MAN ON LINCOLN'S NOSE (2000). He also shot the 2001 cable TV movie "61*".
Cinematography (Black and White) 1966: WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
Nominated for Cinematography 1975: ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (w. Bill Butler)
Cinematography 1976: BOUND FOR GLORY
Nominated for Best Achievement in Cinematography 1987: MATEWAN
Nominated for Best Achievement in Cinematography 1989: BLAZE
5 nominations, 2 Awards