Tribeca Capsule Reviews - Biographical Documentaries
Three prominent men are the subjects of three documentary films that screened at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. Here’s a closer look:
Stan Lee - The life and career of the visionary behind Marvel Comics is the subject of this brisk 86-minute film. Narrated by Lee via interview clips from over the decades, it traces how he accidentally got into the comic book business and how he bucked convention by giving superheroes identifiable human foibles that made them more relatable to readers than traditionally invincible heroes were. His “feud” with artist Jack Kirby, who claimed as much ownership of Spider-Man as Lee did, is covered, too. Director David Gelb thankfully avoids the obvious technique of using comic book graphics to help tell Lee’s tale. Instead, he captures key moments from the legend’s career through intricately designed dioramas. A copious amount of archival footage is also utilized. My only issue with the film is that it doesn’t tell Marvel fans anything they don’t already know. Everything here has been well covered in the past. That makes Stan Lee best for people with limited Marvel knowledge who want to learn more about the man behind so many beloved characters. Existing fans will find the documentary enjoyable, if not exactly revelatory.
Rather - Dan Rather has had a long, diverse career in television news, having reinvented himself several times over. He’s been a field reporter, an anchor, a hard-hitting investigative journalist, and even, in recent years, a celebrity interviewer. Frank Marshall’s Rather recaps all the significant moments from his subject’s professional life – covering the JFK assassination, spending nearly a year reporting from Vietnam, getting roughed up during the 1968 Democratic National Convention, etc. It also goes into his few blunders, like the time he walked off the set when a tennis match ran over, delaying his broadcast. What makes the movie special is that Rather appears on-camera, reflecting back on the (mostly) good and the (only occasionally) bad. What emerges is a portrait of the ultimate reporter, a man who recognized that getting facts to viewers would put him in the crosshairs at times. Rather’s dedication to finding the truth serves as a reminder of how vital a free press is to our democracy. Any newshound will want to savor this tribute to the guy who set the gold standard.
To My Father - Troy Kotsur won the Academy Away as Best Supporting Actor for his work in CODA. This short film recounts the special relationship he had with his police chief father. The elder Kotsur encouraged his son to pursue his dream and to never let his deafness get in the way. He also had an unexpected level of inspiration after getting paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident. Despite that setback, he maintained his positivity. Kotsur narrates the story of their bond. The documentary also includes pictures of the Oscar winner growing up and footage of him giving his high school graduation speech. Running a fast 22 minutes, To My Father is a sweet, touching tribute from a famous son to his late devoted dad.
