Life Itself

Life Itself is a documentary film directed by Steve James (Hoop Dreams) that looks at the life of the late, famed film critic Roger Ebert. Based on Ebert’s own memoir released in 2011, the film follows Ebert and his wife Chaz during the last few months of his life. Interviews with Ebert as well as his friends, family, and fellow colleagues are combined with footage of his famous show At The Movies and various other television appearances.

Ebert had a big influence on the success of director Steve James’ film Hoop Dreams, as he explains in the press notes for the film. “…when the first film I directed, Hoop Dreams, premiered at Sundance, Roger and Gene had taken the unprecedented step of reviewing the film during the festival – before we had distribution or even hope of distribution for this three-hour documentary. Their review galvanized festival goers and distributors and played a huge role in the film securing a theatrical release. But it didn’t stop there. Roger and Gene continued to bang the drum for the film when it was theatrically released, then when they featured their Oscar picks, then when Hoop Dreams failed to secure a Best Documentary nomination, and even a couple more times.

“I owe him a lot.” James concludes. “Perhaps this film is one modest way I can pay him back.”

Life Itself is rated 14A.

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