Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You

Norman Lear can honestly claim to have made the U.S. a better place, both apart from and through his work as a TV producer and writer. Directors Grady and Ewing have put together a creditable biographical documentary that serves as a solid introduction to the man, an overview of his work, and the influence he's had on U.S. culture.

Though there are excerpts from some of his most famous shows -- from "All in the Family" through "Maude," "Good Times," "The Jeffersons," and "Fernwood 2 Night" (though no mention of "Sanford and Son," curiously) -- as well as recent comments and archival interview footage from some of the actors (a clip of Carroll O'Connor on a talk show correcting a description of his character as a "lovable bigot" by focusing on the essential unhappiness of the man is especially memorable), the emphasis is on Lear's life as a man and as an entertainment professional.

We learn about the effects of his father's conviction and imprisonment for selling fake bonds when Norman was 9, the Second World War (in which Lear served as a radio operator on a B-17 bomber), the influence of his second wife Frances in pushing for women's rights, how his overwork and the collapse of that marriage led to Lear stepping away from TV production and founding the nonprofit People for the American Way to battle the so-called Moral Majority. There's a third marriage, more children, some home video footage of the family in recent decades.

The filmmakers expend a fair amount of footage on a sound stage, showing a (presumably) 9-year-old version of Lear being affected by Father Coughlan's racist radio speeches and other events in the real man's life. (An earlier IMDb reviewer has referred to Lear purchasing a copy of the Constitution, but it was the Declaration of Independence.) Archival footage of Jerry Falwell and other televangelists of that era will make one both grateful they're gone and apprehensive about recent counterparts. Just being alive, kicking, and alert as Lear is at 93 is cause for celebration.

Whether you were a fan of his shows or not, this documentary will certainly arouse memories of the times, and the undeniable effect that Lear's work had upon them.

Greetings again from the darkness. Very few people have achieved the level of career success of Norman Lear. Very few people have had the impact on culture as Norman Lear. Very few people have led a life as interesting as Norman Lear. And if all of that somehow doesn't impress you … Norman Lear is 93 years old and still working! It's no wonder that co-directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady decided to tell his stories.

This is a man who served in WWII and flew 52 combat missions. He also purchased a copy of the U.S. Constitution so that it could tour the country and citizens could see it up close. He is regarded as the most influential TV producer ever. His roster of hit shows includes: All in the Family; Maude; Good Times; The Jeffersons; and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. These weren't just popular or funny shows. They were ground-breaking and controversial … they changed TV and they changed society.

At one point, Mr. Lear was producer on 6 of the Top 10 shows on television. His "Good Times" series was the first to put an African-American family front and center. "Maude" was the first TV show to seriously discuss abortion, while "All in the Family" brought Archie Bunker (the great Carroll O'Connor) and the generation gap with changing societal mores right into our living rooms.

The film features a great deal of interview time with Mr. Lear, but also with others who worked with him and/or were influenced by him. The Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner segment is especially poignant, as it's three comedy trailblazers who made such a difference in how we are entertained. At one point, Lear states "I never lost my childlike view of the world", and he says that contributed to always having a fresh approach.

Frances Lear, the feminist activist, is the perfect life partner for Norman, and the film captures their magic. They make such an impressive team committed to their causes, yet still maintaining a solid marriage. In fact, a documentary focusing on Frances would also be quite interesting.

In the world of television programming, there is BN (Before Norman) and AN (After Norman), and the timeline is not only obvious, but also important. Norman says he worked to deliver "serious people comedy … we had something on our mind". The proof of his influence is that he was able to inspire TV viewers to further discuss and consider the issues he found important.

This film can be - and has been - criticized for being too much of a puff piece, too much "old news," and not sufficiently insightful into the meaning of Norman Lear's life. But for those who know him and his work - both artistic and political - well enough but not intimately, this is a great overview of Lear and his accomplishments.

Still fully intact both physically and mentally at 93, Lear has much to offer through his own interviews, and ANY movie that simply catalogs his career would be worth seeing. From early Martin-Lewis writer through All in the Family and Maude through his Good Times misstep to his "retirement" from TV and creation of People for the American Way, Lear's career was unparalleled. As Jon Stewart and others put it in the film, there was TV Before Norman and After Norman.

But this documentary does more. The skill of the filmmakers is obvious, and they leave their imprint - and Lear's famous and unusual hat - throughout this enjoyable film. While it's respectful and loving, it's not worshipful. There's focus on his absence as a father and husband, his difficult relationship with his own father, and the Good Times cast's serious concerns about racial stereotyping. The directors chose excellent clips from the most important shows, including the Maude abortion episodes and some truly extraordinary acting from Carol O'Connor as Archie Bunker. One Archie scene, Archie talking to "Meathead" about his own father, is particularly poignant, as we watch Lear watching Archie.

A worthwhile hour and a half with an American icon, still going strong.

Actually, that's not completely true. "Cold Turkey," which Lear wrote and directed, and a few films he produced, such as "Divorce American Style" and "The Night They Raided Minsky's," were flashed briefly on screen, for about three seconds. If you look really fast you can see them.

But little or no mention at all of Lear's longtime producing partner, the late, great Bud Yorkin.

This is especially disappointing in light of the fact that Yorkin died last year, which barely made the news. He was not recognized by the Academy, of course... but most people behind the scenes aren't.

If it weren't for Yorkin, there would likely be no "Blade Runner." And Yorkin was a pioneering TV director, brief clips of which are seen in the film... but again, no mention of the man.

Sure, you can always make the argument that EVERYTHING in a person's life can't be included, but come on -- a ten second snippet of an interview is all that remains of a 20-year partnership? And a fifty-year friendship??

This seems extremely odd, and disrespectful.

There is nothing here that could "spoil" anyone for anybody! "Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You" is an absolutely mesmerizing look at the greatest writer for American television. His sitcoms are legend: "All in the Family," "The Jeffersons," "Good Times," "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," "Maude," and "Fernwood Tonight," (just to name a few) turned the American audience on its head when it came to television. Topics which were once taboo, i.e. bigotry, racism, women's wrights, abortion, and gay issues, Mr. Lear wrote about it. The fascinating part, however, is how he got to where he is.

Growing up in Connecticut and having to become man of the house at the ripe (young) age of 9 because he father was arrested for a bond scam, Mr. Lear learned that laughter is indeed the best medicine. Along the way, he took his lumps and came out for the better. It was also great to know that he did not turn away from a fight. Targeted by Richard Nixon, Jerry Falwell and his "moral majority," and even the average Joes, Mr. Lear is someone who led by example.

Highly recommended. Not rated, but does contain language and adult situations.