Life Itself, a comprehensive, honest biography of film critic and 1975 Pulitzer Prize winner Roger Ebert's life, (based on Ebert's own memoir of the same name, and directed by Steve James of Hoop Dreams), is a great movie; I think Roger would have given it a hearty Thumbs Up.
Ebert had a modest upbringing in Urbana, Illinois, quickly rose in the ranks as a reporter and then film critic at the Chicago Sun-Times, going on to educate and influence the world about the power and beauty of films, and specifically, the ability of a cinematic experience to expand our worldview and compassion.
I watched Ebert's various film critique shows for decades, beginning when I was a kid. I used to record the shows and watch them to help me determine which movies I might want to see. In viewing this very well organized, touching and witty documentary, I realized what an impact Roger Ebert had on my life.
His early drive as a writer, a voice of political reason, young carousing, social alchoholic, (who later got and remained sober), with a bent for Russ Meyers films as well as film classics, foreign and independent fare, and a wholly passionate approach to his work as film reviewer is covered, as well as his rivalry-inspired chemistry with fellow critic and long-time TV show partner, Gene Siskel. Some of the footage with Siskel is hysterical. Friends and colleagues, (including Martin Scorsese and also, Gene Siskel's widow, Marlene Iglitzen), as well as his wife, Chaz Ebert give revealing, sizzling , heartful interviews. Roger himself also has much screentime as he is interviewed in the hospital late into his illness.
In the last decade of his life, Roger had cancer of the thyroid and salivary glands and his lower jaw was removed, leaving him disfigured and unable to speak or eat normally. Regardless of this awful physical predicament, Roger glowed with love for his wife and family, and life itself, and he remained steadfast in his fervor for his work.
I give Life Itself an enthusiastic THUMBS UP!
Ebert had a modest upbringing in Urbana, Illinois, quickly rose in the ranks as a reporter and then film critic at the Chicago Sun-Times, going on to educate and influence the world about the power and beauty of films, and specifically, the ability of a cinematic experience to expand our worldview and compassion.
I watched Ebert's various film critique shows for decades, beginning when I was a kid. I used to record the shows and watch them to help me determine which movies I might want to see. In viewing this very well organized, touching and witty documentary, I realized what an impact Roger Ebert had on my life.
His early drive as a writer, a voice of political reason, young carousing, social alchoholic, (who later got and remained sober), with a bent for Russ Meyers films as well as film classics, foreign and independent fare, and a wholly passionate approach to his work as film reviewer is covered, as well as his rivalry-inspired chemistry with fellow critic and long-time TV show partner, Gene Siskel. Some of the footage with Siskel is hysterical. Friends and colleagues, (including Martin Scorsese and also, Gene Siskel's widow, Marlene Iglitzen), as well as his wife, Chaz Ebert give revealing, sizzling , heartful interviews. Roger himself also has much screentime as he is interviewed in the hospital late into his illness.
In the last decade of his life, Roger had cancer of the thyroid and salivary glands and his lower jaw was removed, leaving him disfigured and unable to speak or eat normally. Regardless of this awful physical predicament, Roger glowed with love for his wife and family, and life itself, and he remained steadfast in his fervor for his work.
I give Life Itself an enthusiastic THUMBS UP!