This is an incredible documentary if you’re over 40 or under 20. Brilliantly edited, focused perfectly on what mattered—and what matters.
I knew about this documentary for a while, putting it off for some reason, and I’m sorry I did. Mike Wallace was a singular force for good in journalism. Not perfect, but, as is said in the film, (roughly), “Anyone lacking a temperament will also lack talent.”
But if you're 21 to 40, it's not for you.
shareOf course not... I was making a joke. Since Wallace died in 2012, it seems like that era of people wouldn’t remember him or his guests as well, and the youts, they are more open to political ideas. If you’re between 20 and 40 and you have any inclination to watch, you won’t be disappointed.
shareI have long had an interest in journalism and tend to seek out films that have a journalistic slant -- The Insider, Spotlight, CitizenFour, A Private War, Shattered Glass, and so on. And so this was right up my alley.
I am neither under 20 nor over 40, but I do have vague recollections of seeing Mike Wallace on TV when I would spend time with my grandmother and she would watch 60 Minutes. This is certainly an interesting film about him and his career, albeit an ideosyncratic one. The decision to tell the story entirely through archival footage is certainly interesting and I'd say that overall it works pretty well, but I wouldn't mind also seeing at some point a more conventional film about Wallace.
BTW, if you like this archival-footage-only approach to filmmaking, then check out Apollo 11. Aside from a handful of animations, it exclusively uses archival footage to tell the story of the first moon landing, specifically the events ranging from blast off to splashdown.
Yes, but let’s not forget Edward R. “Dean” Morrow (a REAL Dean, unlike Hownowbrowncow), who created TV journalism, and Walter Cronkite, voted “the most trusted man in America.” Let us also celebrate Christian Amanpour, the best freaking journalist CNN will ever have, who shamed her network into giving the death of Mother Theresa equal coverage to the trivial passing of Diana Spencer, “Princess” Di to many of you.
Class, all the way.