Turn Every Page: The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb

This film is incredibly wonderful for literally types, but what makes it a great film is that it's also an amazing film if the viewer is not. It's a film about 2 incredibly hard working men, never backing down from pushing their craft to new levels. There is also a lot of healing in the film, because it seems to have brought Caro and Gottlieb to a much friendlier place than ever before. The director and editor also found that perfect balance between the 2 men's stories, so you feel immersed in both, both their lives feel profoundly productive and important. The music is also a wonderful color in the film and supports the humor, and the hardship of this final book, and the painstaking time it's taking. This is a must watch film, no question.

This is a movie about the working relationship between an author and an editor, both of whom are exceptionally good at what they do. I enjoyed this movie, but it didn't really live up to the hype. At the end, my reaction was, "So?" It has no real ending. It's not particularly cinematic, either; it's more like a program on Channel 13, where I'm sure it will become a staple. (There's a joke in that sentence for those who have seen the film.) It was nice to see Gottlieb's wife, Maria Tucci, a fabulous actress whose work I've admired for more than 50 years. I wish there had been more of her in it. I think those who are passionate readers will like the film. I enjoyed it, but I was hoping for something more cinematic.

This is the rare documentary that is equal parts entertainment and inspiration. Most of the settings are lighthearted, humorous, and informal, but the more you learn about both Roberts, the more you begin to understand why they are the legends that they are. Despite their very different personalities, they share a work ethic, love for language, and empathy that are second to none. At the end of the day, this is a documentary about love - for the truth, for the craft of writing, and for the lifelong pursuit of excellence. It is a true privilege to get a close-up view of greatness like theirs; this film will inspire me for years to come.

This is a marvelous documentary that every writer, editor, copy editor, grammarian, or anyone in any field who is even remotely interested in skill and mastery, will appreciate. It touches on serious themes, but it's done with such a light personal hand that I think anyone could enjoy it. And the literary references are far from obscure. Every other word out of one of these 2 masters' mouths is quotable. And their relationship dynamic is interesting and surprising. The technical issues that are addressed are totally accessible. I'm just drinking it all up, it's so wonderful and so thoroughly enjoyable - and also unexpectedly inspiring.

As an ardent movie lover and a seasoned writer/editor, one might naturally assume that this release would be a film right up my alley. Yet, after watching director Lizzie Gottlieb's third documentary feature, a chronicle of the life, work and professional relationship between author Robert Caro and editor Robert Gottlieb, I came away from it with decidedly mixed feelings. To its credit, the film provides an insightful look into the worlds of writing and editing and the sometimes-harmonious, sometimes-contentious marriage between the two in producing finished works of literature, enabling viewers to witness the collaborative intricacies and mindsets that go into this highly subjective process. It also examines the depth of the work involved in researching and shaping the contents of these projects so that they're able to live up to their literary and commercial potential. And these aspects of the film effectively capture the essence of this material, something to which I and other authors/editors can certainly relate. However, whether this level of detail would appeal to the average moviegoer is another matter; it's niche filmmaking to an extreme degree, and I can't help but wonder if this offering would provide much of anything engaging to anyone beyond the aforementioned core audience and those who have an insatiable curiosity about this subject. Obviously that's a call that would be out of my hands, yet I'm still somewhat reluctant to give a definitive recommendation or caution about this film. No matter which way one leans, I must say that I found the picture somewhat overlong, sometimes going into greater detail than even I was interested in, something that I could see being a criticism other viewers might hold as well. And the use of the word "adventures" in the subtitle is something of an overstatement. Undoubtedly, however, there will be those who absolutely love this release, though I can't say how widespread that audience would be. So, in light of that, let me just say that this one is very much one of those "you decide" offerings. And, no matter which way you lean, you'd be right.