Who wants to watch a documentary about a film critic? Given that I’m sitting here writing this review, I suppose you could say I’m pre-disposed to be fascinated by Life Itself, a loving portrait of the late Roger Ebert; but does the film have the capacity to do more than preach to the converted? After all, in terms of heroic journalistic pursuits, throwing pot-shots at the latest Hollywood flop is hardly up there with Bernstein and Woodward. Luckily, Hoop Dreams director Steve James is at the helm and has produced a touching, intimate tribute to a man of tremendous passion and determination that has universal appeal.
From a young age, Roger Ebert knew that he wanted to be a journalist. As a child he produced his own neighbourhood newspaper, before moving on to college publications and eventually to the Chicago Sun Times, the newspaper that would be his home for the majority of his career. The move to film criticism was merely a stroke of luck – the paper’s critic reached retirement age and the job was handed to Ebert. As it turned out, it was a position that suited him well. The film follows Ebert’s career as he brings film criticism to the masses via his column and his incredibly popular TV show with Gene Siskel.
Even if you’ve never read an Ebert review, there are pleasures to be gained from this documentary. Of course, film geeks will revel in the arguments that erupted in the world of film criticism over Ebert’s alleged dumbing down of the field but for the most part, the film concentrates on the more personal aspects of the man’s life. The access James had to Ebert in his final days as he battled the cancer that would eventually kill him is deeply touching. Despite losing his lower jaw to the disease, Ebert kept on working right to the very end, becoming one of the first prominent critics to make full use of the internet for publishing his work. The fractious relationship of professional and personal one-upmanship he shared with longtime professional partner Siskel is also fascinating and illustrated by some fantastically caustic footage.
Overall, Life Itself is a touching tribute to a man who truly loved what he did. The respect he gained along the way from fellow writers and from the directors whose work he championed is palpable. Had he been alive to see the finished product, there is not doubt he would have given Life Itself the Ebert "Thumbs up."