"Life Itself", is directed by the wonderful Steve James of "Hoop Dreams" (1994) fame. With production beginning September 2012 and the sad news of Ebert's passing the following April, the film-makers took to crowd funding in order to complete the movie. Raising a staggering 150,000 dollars and premiering at the 2014 Sundance film festival, to rave reviews and a wonderful exposé on Roger's eventful life all the way to the end.
Made up of interviews with Roger Ebert during the final months of his life. The film follow Ebert's origins working at the press, and his early talents for writing. As years go by we see him battle and defeat alcoholism, become a television film critic alongside Gene Siskel for some 20 years and eventually meeting his wife Chaz Ebert. All these exploits and more are backed with interviews by his colleagues from television star days, and film-makers such as Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog. This and more is all wonderfully present, including some of the sad and harsh realities of Ebert's illness in his final months.
For as sad as it is the loss of friends over a lifetime, the documentary is a wonderful celebration of a life well lived, full of gratitude and accomplishment. For as wonderfully in-depth the documentary is had they included some more of the film reviews than they do, and some of Roger's other well known exploits around film festivals I could easily rate this among James's finest works. Regardless everything here is gold. I've watched it 3 times in the space of a month, and if you are a fan of Ebert's writing I couldn't recommend it more.
Final Verdict: Roger Ebert meant a lot to everyone. For me he was the only critic I would want to eagerly hear an opinion from as it was so wonderful written and presented, your entire outlook on a film could be changed. What he has left is a wonderful legacy and education that is going to last for a long time to come, and this is a documentary I recommend to any Ebert fan out there. 8/10.
Made up of interviews with Roger Ebert during the final months of his life. The film follow Ebert's origins working at the press, and his early talents for writing. As years go by we see him battle and defeat alcoholism, become a television film critic alongside Gene Siskel for some 20 years and eventually meeting his wife Chaz Ebert. All these exploits and more are backed with interviews by his colleagues from television star days, and film-makers such as Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog. This and more is all wonderfully present, including some of the sad and harsh realities of Ebert's illness in his final months.
For as sad as it is the loss of friends over a lifetime, the documentary is a wonderful celebration of a life well lived, full of gratitude and accomplishment. For as wonderfully in-depth the documentary is had they included some more of the film reviews than they do, and some of Roger's other well known exploits around film festivals I could easily rate this among James's finest works. Regardless everything here is gold. I've watched it 3 times in the space of a month, and if you are a fan of Ebert's writing I couldn't recommend it more.
Final Verdict: Roger Ebert meant a lot to everyone. For me he was the only critic I would want to eagerly hear an opinion from as it was so wonderful written and presented, your entire outlook on a film could be changed. What he has left is a wonderful legacy and education that is going to last for a long time to come, and this is a documentary I recommend to any Ebert fan out there. 8/10.