Val Kilmer was a truly unique actor, movie star, and personality, as his uncompromising approach to the craft of acting resulted in a great deal of versatility. Although Kilmer emerged as a heartthrob when his performance in “Real Genius” (1985) came at the tail end of the “Brat Pack” era, he quickly began showing signs of greater ambition, as he would often challenge himself with dramatic physical and emotional transformations. Kilmer was incredibly well read and cared deeply about the history of storytelling. As a former theater star, he dedicated a good portion of his career to the works of Mark Twain.

Kilmer’s health struggles resulted in him taking a backseat from the spotlight in recent years, but that doesn’t mean that he failed to keep working. The powerful 2021 documentary “Val” offered an intimate look at his life and career, examining how he was at odds with the perception attached to him.