Directed by Steve James

Roger Ebert is easily one of the most celebrated people in cinema’s history. He was responsible in helping launch the careers of so many unspoken filmmakers, his praises tasting sweeter than the elixir of life; his negative comments hurting more than a pitchfork in the eye. This documentary, directed by Steve James, shows the man behind the computer: behind the television. And it shows that just like everyone, he wasn’t perfect. But for one reason or another, it was film that gave him a reason to live. The documentary never tried to be flashy, dramatic or really set itself apart stylistically – but it did what James does so well: tell the truth.

B+