Change Your Image
eveegan-67950
Reviews
The Martha Mitchell Effect (2022)
A gem of a historical doc -- more like this, please!
Wow -- what a surprise and a delight!
I knew the basic history of Watergate -- or rather, I thought I knew. "The Martha Mitchell Effect" reintroduced me to that past and made me question the relative simplicity of the story I'd learned previously.
With efficient storytelling that nevertheless dynamically develops its main character, the film presents a memorable story suggestive of contemporary connections without putting a fine point on them -- that is, it's faithful to its history, as a work of history should be, yet pushes the viewer to reexamine the present (again, as a work of history should!).
The restrained yet stylized use of motion and motion graphics with the archival images deserves special mention. It managed to elevate the work and give it a contemporary feel without once taking the viewer out of the era at the heart of the film. It's thoroughly historical, yet impressively fresh.
The Janes (2022)
The Janes -- moving, devastating, revealing, fresh
This is a staggeringly powerful story -- plot-driven, with memorable characters, a brisk pace, and a deeply abiding humanity.
Through exhaustive archival research, the filmmakers manage to immerse the viewer in the era. And yet, stylistically, the film feels contemporary -- better yet, it feel timeless.
Is this the new model for historical documentary? I hope so: move over Ken Burns and Stanley Nelson -- we need more historical docs like The Janes!
It lifted me up in one moment, devastated me in another, and left me challenged, hopeful, angry, and awed. I really couldn't recommend it more strongly.