John Wilson on ‘The History of Concrete’ and What’s Wrong With the Documentary Space: ‘People Are Retelling Stories That Have Already Happened’
SPOILER ALERT: This story contains minor spoilers for “The History of Concrete,” now in theaters. John Wilson’s new documentary “The History of Concrete” is, of course, about the history of concrete. But it’s also about selling a documentary titled “The History of Concrete,” which, it turns out, is almost as hard as concrete. It sees […]
The History of Concrete, a 2026 documentary directed by John Wilson, is an unusual film that explores the world of concrete in a unique way. While the movie is not strictly about the history of concrete, it does provide some interesting insights into the subject. However, it often focuses more on the present and future states of concrete rather than its historical uses.
The film, which is a must-see, begins with Wilson searching for a new project after the end of his successful HBO series, How To with John Wilson. After a few unsuccessful attempts, he settles on the idea of a documentary about the history of concrete. He travels to Rome, but finds little concrete information. Instead, he encounters eccentric characters and their unique stories related to concrete, such as a driving school in Ohio and a 3,100-mile run on a single block of concrete in Jamaica Queens.
Despite the lack of concrete historical information, Wilson's ability to find humor in mundane aspects and connect unexpected dots is impressive. He interviews Michael Imperioli about making movies and meets Jack Macco, who steals the show with his unique contributions. While the documentary may not be the most informative source on the history of concrete, it is entertaining and engaging.
In conclusion, The History of Concrete is a unique and entertaining documentary that offers a fresh perspective on concrete. While it may not be the most informative source on the topic, it is definitely worth watching, especially for fans of John Wilson.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Guide's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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