NORMAN LEAR: JUST ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU (Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady, U.S.). 91 minutes. Rating: NNN
Bolstered by TV clips and interviews with the likes of George Clooney and Rob Reiner, this doc tracks the life of Norman Lear, the 20th century’s most influential American TV producer.
He transformed the television landscape with his comedies All In The Family, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons and others, forcing the famously behind-the-times TV universe to catch up with what was happening in the U.S. So threatening was he to the status quo that he was on Nixon’s enemies list. He became a crucial free speech advocate battling the so-called silent majority in the 80s.
An archival interview with Good Times star Esther Rolle, who complains about the show’s buffoon-like character JJ, suggests Lear was not a hero to all. More of this type of thing and of his sad relationship with his father would have made this less of a love letter.
To understand Lear, back to those superb shows – this doc is on the edge of unsatisfying.
Apr 30, 6:15 pm, TIFF 1 May 1, 10:30 am, Bloor Hot Docs May 6, 6:45 pm, TIFF 1 May 7, 3:15 pm, Revue
