One year after his death, the film industry honors famed movie critic Roger Ebert with the documentary “Life Itself.”
The title comes from the critic’s memoir and last written book, Life Itself.
The documentary recalls the writer as a man who watched flicks in the theater just like us and told us if the movie was good, bad or in between.
His first review was for “La Dolce Vita” in 1961, his first professional review was for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1967 with a write-up of “Bonnie & Clyde” and his last two before his death were for “To the Wonder” and “The Spectacular Now.” His harshly negative reviews for the 1986 cult film “Blue Velvet”and the 1994 comedy dud “North”became infamous in their own right.
In “Life Itself,” Ebert’s legacy is carried to the big screen by filmmaker Steve James.
Ebert’s roots in film criticism and journalism began at his college newspaper, the Daily Illini, where he was the editor. Shortly after finishing his studies at the University of Illinois, Ebert began interning at the Chicago Sun-Times, and in within a year was chosen as the paper’s local movie reviewer. He was 25.
In the late 1970s, Ebert and rival critic Gene Siskel, from the Chicago Tribune across the street, were asked to host a local show called “Sneak Previews” for Midwestern audiences to learn which current movies were worth viewing. The show would eventually turn into PBS’ syndicated “At the Movies” and the two would brand the term “thumbs up/down.”
Between commentating and debating Siskel on new releases, Ebert would also find time to pen the script for cult movie favorite, “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls” and write more than a dozen books on film criticism, most famously Great Movies and I Hated, Hated, Hated This Movie.
“Life Itself” also includes commentary by Ebert’s wife, Chaz, filmmakers Martin Scorsese, Werner Herzog and Ava DuVernay and fellow reviewer A.O. Scott. Voice actor Stephen Stanton provides an impressive and nearly identical imitation of Ebert’s voice as partial narration.
As covered in the film, 2002 would be the beginning of 11 years of serious health issues for Ebert. The audience not only watches the man’s rise to success and legacy, but also his struggles in his personal life – whether it be his tumultuous partnership with Siskel or battles with thyroid cancer and a fractured hip.
The footage of his time in the hospital, unable to speak or walk, is tough to watch, but also makes obvious that Ebert didn’t want to hide his problems from his fans.
Through past photos and footage, including pthe last videos ever recorded of him, “Life Itself” presents not only an ardent film fan, but a survivor. The documentary is directed by James of “Hoop Dreams” fame and genuinely shows us the world of cinema through the passion that kept Ebert moving until the very end. Roger Ebert lived the life all movie lovers wish they could and James pays a moving tribute to it.
mbianco@durangoherald.com. Megan Bianco is a movie reviewer and also contributes other entertainment related features and articles.
