Life Itself

What better way to start a new year of film reviews than with Life Itself - a documentary feature on famed film reviewer, Roger Ebert.
Life Itself is directed by Steve James (Hoop Dreams) who presents his subject towards the end of his life, before returning to his formative years and the beginning of his illustrious career.
The film recounts Eberts life in flashback throughout, regularly returning to the present for comparative insight.

For those not steeped in Eberts career, Life Itself covers a lot of ground - from Eberts passion and talent for writing early on, to a professional love affair with film, lasting over 45 years.
More than just a reviewer, Ebert sought out and encouraged new names and faces in independent cinema.
Unabashed by his work, Ebert became friends with many of his subjects, some of whom would come in for heavy criticism during his career.
He frequently attended the Conference on World Affairs - known for being the "conference on everything conceivable". Ebert moderated Cinema Interruptus for many years - a symposium on film lasting the length of the conference.
As a social commentator Ebert spoke alongside numerous other experts in their field on a multitude of subjects.

Ebert certainly had his principles. Early on he stopped the presses of his own University paper, spotting an inappropriate advert across the page from a lead story, concerning John F. Kennedys assassination. Having gained notoriety for his writing, Ebert remained at the paper which hired him (the Chicago Sun-Times), despite lucrative offers to the contrary.

Based on the book of the same name (with many a quote directly referenced on screen), Life Itself undoubtedly lacks the depth of the best-seller. Numerous detailed accounts of Eberts various experiences have been jettisoned in favour of Eberts ill-health, which covers a good portion of the film.

Living with cancer, Ebert underwent various treatments and several failed surgeries (horrendous). He's an inspiration to all who've suffered a similar fate. Not one to shy away from his debilitating health, Ebert continued to write and appears on camera as communicative and joyous.

Despite Eberts upbeat resolve, the lasting impression of the man is of someone battling to pursue his passion, despite the restrictions of his body. The man achieved a great deal in his life and I believe more time and detail could've been spent expanding upon these achievements.
For example, Ebert won the Pulitzer prize for his work as a movie reviewer (the first ever), but we don't discover which specific piece or pieces won him the prize? Moreover his career as a screenwriter is touched upon, having written the screenplay to Russ Meyers, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. But Ebert had a long-standing, working relationship with Meyer, contributing screenplays several times thereafter.

Overall Life Itself is a fascinating account of one of the most admired film reviewers in cultural history. One which could've benefited from being a more celebratory account, rather than a slightly dour one.

3/5


Film Poster courtesy: www.kartemquin.com




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