|
| Movie Review: Ahead of Time Alternate Title: An Extraordinary Life
Story: The remarkable 99 year
old Ruth Gruber was/is a woman who was ahead of her
time. Via her vast world experiences she learned how to live inside
of time and not rush through it. She has a list of 'firsts' that will
make your resume seem inadequate. In her own words (the film was made
when she was 97) years old, Jewish, Brooklyn-born Ruth Gruber simply
explains how life afforded her options and she bravely took them. To name a few of her accomplishments, she became
the youngest PhD in the world at age 19 (in Germany, no less) before
going on to become an international foreign correspondent and photojournalist
at age 24 for the New York Herald Tribune. She was the first photo-journalist
to enter the Soviet Arctic and was a trusted member of the Roosevelt
Administration during WWII. Ruth Gruber was a feminist before that word had
officially entered the lexicon. She bravely became an active participant
in history and her words and photos remain for all to see. The film was lovingly directed by Bob
Richman. The archival footage alone is worth the price of admission.
She will inspire you to get off of your duff and do something. View the trailer on the film's website: http://ruthgruberthemovie.com/trailer.html Acting: This is a documentary so this category does
not apply.
Trivia: This is Bob Richman's directorial debut, but
he is an award winning cinematographer and Director of Photography.
He recently won the Grand Jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival for
Best Cinematography for The September Issue. His other credits include
Academy Award winner, An Inconvenient Truth, and Academy Award nominee,
My Architect. His other credits include Metallica: Some Kind of Monster,
and Paradise Lost.
Predilection: I like documentaries and had seen an
exhibit of Ruth Gruber's work at NYC's Jewish Heritage Museum a few
years ago.
Critters: I saw this film a week ago so my memory
is cloudy but I do believe there was a dog in the film.
Opening Titles: The opening title suggests the path
the film will take. The chapters of Ms Gruber's long life are divided
by clever titles.
Theater Audience: About a dozen people.
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout. Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Either would be fine.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
|