esrosedotblog

It is hard to get under the persona of well established personalities.

To not only let them show themselves but also show sides of themselves that even they might be surprised to see.

Errol Morris, the documentary film maker specializes in the "let 'em talk and talk" kind of exposé. Out of this talk and, of course, some judicious editing, a picture emerges about people and their times which can be quite revealing.

Today's subject was Deciphering Donald Rumsfeld: The Unknown Known (2013)

Morris won an Academy Award for the film.

At the end, Morris asks Rumsfeld why he consented to the interview and he says he does not know. I think that I know. The full 90 minutes up to that moment have shown Rumsfeld as a man who is never at a loss for words or at a loss of admiration for his ability to use them.

And to a great extent, he is right about himself. He is articulate, thoughtful, a good witness.

What he does not know is that his talk is quite revealing if allowed to run on as Morris allows in these interviews.

There are no "gotcha" moments here. Rumsfeld is given a free rein to talk without any argument. Yet, there are times, when his self confidence erodes just enough to see the man do some squirming under the surface. Most notably about why, in the first place, he got himself in front of Morris' cameras. He has to know that he is showing too much bra strap.

In all fairness, I have to say that he does a good job in telling his story. He is certainly entitled to his opinions as well as his side of any story about him.

I have to admit that I liked him more than I expected. He is an old man now but in great shape. He has a vitality and energy that serve him well. I think that he is satisfied that he has done his best and to hell with us if we don't like it. Fuck off y'all.

Good for him.

I don't want to see this again at all, a lot of it is too painful but as a film/doc/interview it deserves a high rating. It is in 5 territory. But my not wanting to see it again makes it a technical 3.

I have seen all of Morris' work and I am totally enthusiastic about it. So to that extent there is a 5 here in that I would not miss any new film that Morris makes.

Labels: films