Biographical documentaries hit the big time this summer
The summer movie season has come to be ruled by superheroes, star-driven action pieces, animated entertainment for families. Yet this summer has seen a remarkable crop of quieter, more contemplative movies — biographical documentaries about luminaries past and present, among them RBG, about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg; Won’t You Be My Neighbor? about the life and work of Fred Rogers; Whitney, a family-authorized look at Whitney Houston; and McQueen, on fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
These and others tackle larger-than-life subjects with the right combination of familiarity and intrigue. And there is no shortage of them streaming online. A few of the most fascinating:
Amy
Where: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes Amy Winehouse, the English vocalist behind the hit “Rehab,” had many intimate moments videotaped by family and friends before she died of alcohol poisoning at 27. Director Asif Kapadia uses this footage to powerful effect, showcasing sides of Winehouse that were obscured by her highly publicized troubles — she was the friend who liked to goof around; the astute artist who deserves more credit for her introspective songwriting than she was given while alive. Kapadia also chronicles Winehouse’s downfall, but in a way that eludes salaciousness.
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Where: Netflix, iTunes
The first six minutes are simply Nina Simone — no voice-overs, no talking heads. First, she steps onstage at a mid-1970s concert to rapturous applause, pausing for a few moments in silence before making her way to the piano to perform “Little Girl Blue.” Then, in a 1968 interview, she describes what freedom is to her: “No fear.” Finally, she performs “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free.” The sequence is a good indicator of what’s to come, as director Liz Garbus lets the jazz great and Civil Rights activist’s words and music carry the bulk of the film, a devastating portrait of the towering musician’s triumphs and lows.
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
Where: Netflix, iTunes
After long hours on-set shooting film such like Ziegfeld Girl (1941), Hedy Lamarr — once known as “the most beautiful woman in world” — spent evenings at home, working on inventions. One brainchild of hers, a frequency-hopping radio signal intended for use by the Navy during World War II, is considered a forerunner of the wireless technologies we use today. Lamarr received a patent for her invention (along with collaborator George Antheil), but her accomplishments remained little known for decades, with prominent men of her time attempting to discredit her contribution. Alexandra Dean’s documentary makes a strong case for Lamarr’s place in history as an innovator.
Life Itself Where: Hulu, Amazon Video, iTunes Roger Ebert, the renowned film critic, was one of the biggest champions of Steve James, the filmmaker behind Hoop Dreams. Just before Ebert’s death, the two had the chance to work together, and the result is this film, which isn’t afraid to show Ebert’s less flattering traits alongside his good ones. Ebert’s career is chronicled with breadth and specificity, providing insight into his early years as a college reporter and, later, into the prickly dynamics of his partnership with fellow critic Gene Siskel. The movie also acts as a moving meditation on dying, as Ebert — who because of multiple cancer operations was unable to speak without computerized assistance — prepared with his loved ones to say goodbye.