Up until the very end of his accomplished life, Roger Ebert had a smile on his face and something to say. He may have lost his ability to speak, but ironically, he was talking more than ever- contributing his thoughts on film through social media and his website, www.rogerebert.com. The life and times of legendary film journalist Roger Ebert is beautifully captured in the documentary Life Itself, directed by Steve James.
James, whose biopic Hoop Dreams was nominated for an Academy Award in 1995, gives the audience the opportunity to feel a bevy of emotions and say one last farewell to a truly gifted man. The film intercuts between the past and present; from Ebert’s hospital bed, he talks about his childhood and getting his start as the movie critic at The Chicago Sun-Times (a position he didn’t even apply for). His fellow journalists and peers talk with James about Ebert’s wild young adult years, his struggle with alcoholism and his ultimate happiness when he met his wife, Chaz.
Ebert remains self aware throughout the film, acknowledging this is his “third act” and probably wouldn’t be around to witness the film’s release. Unfortunately, in 2013, he was right.
The hot/cold relationship with Gene Siskel is explored in the film and serves as an anchor in the story as well as comedic relief. Archival footage from their PBS TV show Sneak Previews shows two film journalists from competing newspapers (The Chicago Sun-Times and The Chicago Tribune) who utterly despised each other, try to play nice when the cameras were on. While this charade was forced in the beginning, Siskel and Ebert began to develop a close relationship- exemplified by resurfaced outtakes from their show. Belittling and berating each other in their signature way makes for a pretty good laugh.
For all the heartwarming moments in the film, there is a fair share of uncomfortable ones. From hospital visits to forced insertions of feeding tubes, James doesn’t shield the audience from unsettling situations. This was Ebert’s life, his reality; however hard it was to deal with on a daily basis, his strength shines through all of these bleak circumstances. Ebert remains self-aware throughout the film, acknowledging this is his “third act” and probably wouldn’t be around to witness the film’s release. Unfortunately, in 2013, he was right.
It’s the little moments captured in the film, though, that makes it a touching biopic as opposed to just another “biographical documentary.” His white Lexus with the “MOVIES” license plate. His peer’s comments that Ebert had the worst taste in women. Even the film’s title, Life Itself, is taken from Ebert’s bestselling memoir of the same name. These little-buried treasures humanize Ebert to an audience that may not be familiar with his personal life. Just as Ebert wrote his articles for the movie audience at large, Life Itself makes it easy for anyone to connect and relate to him.
Life Itself left me inspired, as I’m sure it did every single person in the theater. How it can be both sympathetic and courageous is a testament to the work of director Steve James; his ability to unbiasedly shed light on the late Roger Ebert’s life is what makes this documentary a great piece of film journalism and cultural entertainment. Being a journalist myself, I knew this would be a difficult yet gratifying piece to write and can’t help but personally hold this review to the highest of standards.
