Life Itself
Director: Steve James
By Alex Watson
There is no doubting just how much influence that the reviews of Roger Ebert have had on the film community and his admirers have stacked up over the years. As a critic his opinions were often hard but always correct and that blunt approach was what made him so influential and his death in 2013 robbed us of probably the greatest person of his field. It is fitting that Hoop Dreams director, Steve James this year brings us a tribute with the full support of Ebert’s family in his documentary, Life Itself.
Narrated by Steve James, this movie documents the life and times of Roger Ebert, from his upbringing in the mid-west to his notable tenure writing for the Chicago Sun Times- where he became a Pulitzer Prize winning writer. It also carefully analyses his legendary movie review pairing with Gene Siskel where the pairs love/hate relationship always guaranteed fireworks. Ebert also gives James full access to the last months of his life in unflinching detail.
There is a lot of love expressed throughout Steve James’ movie and Life Itselfis a perfect and touching tribute to life of Ebert. The scenes documenting his final days suffering from cancer and unable to speak (Ebert had to have his entire lower jaw removed) are the ones that hit home the most. But through the pain and intensely difficult physical therapy, he is always able to retain his unique sense of humour. They also show just what a fighter that Roger was until the end.
His career as a writer for the Chicago Sun Times and brief foray as a screenwriter maybe glossed over a little too quickly, but his relationship with Gene Siskel certainly is not. As two very strong willed gentlemen, their opinions frequently differed as to what made good movies and at times there was an intensity to their battles. The outtakes on show ably demonstrate just how heated things could get! But the pair always greatly respected one another and Siskel’s death at only 53 greatly affected Ebert. However we soon learn that relationship off screen was perhaps closer than many of realize and together, the pair were the best possible match.
His marriage to his strong willed wife Chaz marks a real cornerstone in the film because it marked an important transition in his life. The man on camera at time comes across as very unlikeable and almost arrogant of himself. But the Ebert behind the scenes was a very different man and Chaz helped shape into a loving and caring man who was passionately committed to his family. But it’s her description of the day of Ebert’s death that will guarantee tears as it was something so tragic yet so beautiful.
Steve James makes no secret of his admiration of the man in Life Itself and it shared by a bunch of notable peers such as Werner Herzog, Errol Morris and Martin Scorsese (who co-produces). Scorsese in particular gives a loving eulogy to the man as he was the first critic to really promote his early work and his words would pave the way for a whole new audience. He could be harsh in his analysis, but only because his love for the big screen was so large- he hated seeing it tarnished!
Life Itself is by far 2014 best documentary and Steve James gives the most poignant and everlasting memorial to Ebert’s work and by the films end, it is impossible to feel the same way. As a fellow critic, his work has been a big influence on myself and many others before and after. Roger, I hope this is one review you would have approved of!
Closer to the Edge 