This biographical documentary has an advantage most documentaries about a literary giant lack: the living artist herself. And boy is that as a bonus. The charismatic, iconic Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison helps director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders tells her remarkable story in TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM and, better yet, Morrison offers insightful commentary on her own lauded, beloved novels.
Director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ wonderful documentary TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM is a comprehensive look at a true American treasure, Toni Morrison. This intelligent and entertaining documentary covers the life, the work and the times of this giant of literature and of American culture. Morrison is certainly a worthy documentary subject:. Morrison is the author of such works as SULA, BELOVED, and THE BLUEST EYE, and recipient of a Nobel Prize, a Pulitzer, the American Book Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among other honors. Her works speak particularly to the black experience and women’s experience, while at the same time being universal.
The documentary not only spotlights Morrison’s work but puts it in the context of the social shifts of the 1960s and 1970s, and beyond. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders is actually a friend of the author, which helped the director coax the usually private Morrison to agree to this project. It also gives him special access and insights on her personal and professional life, all which gives this finely crafted, stirring film a great boost.
TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM covers the author’s early life, her struggles as a divorced mother and an academic in a time when both women and blacks faced barriers and discrimination. It also follows her shift to publishing, and then her transition from editor to novelist.
Morrison
speaks plainly, bluntly even, but with such personal charm and sharp
humor, that the audience can’t help but fall under her spell. She
offers insights on the unique neighborhood where she grew up and her
family’s own history of standing up to racism, Morrison has some
pointed things to say about early ’70s feminism and its relationship
to black women, as well as offering praise for her colleagues at her
small publishing house, and those later at the large publisher,
Random House, that acquired it, the editors and others who encouraged
her work as an emerging author in the way publishers once did.
Morrison was a true ground-breaker, not
only in her own writing but in the way she opened the door to other
black and women writers as an editor at Random House. This
documentary is packed with information on her life and work,
presented through archival footage and stills, interviews with
notable figures such as Oprah Winfrey and Angela Davis, and
commentary from numerous scholars and others, discussing the impact
of her work.
Director Greenfield-Sanders crafts a
strong, engrossing story but this documentary does greatly benefit
from extensive interview footage of Morrison herself. This is
particularly so when offering analysis of her writings, by critics or
readers. How often have you read a novel that raised questions that
you would like to ask the author? This documentary lets us hear the
answers to some of these questions from the author directly. That is
a rare treat but especially nice in this case as Morrison, a former
teacher, knows exactly how to address these topics in the most
thoughtful and thought-provoking manner.
Interviews with Toni Morrison are
scattered throughout the film, as is archival footage of the author
throughout her life. Morrison speaks about her work, her life, and
her views on various topics. Hearing her commentary in her own voice
gives this excellent film a singular insight into not only this
author, but into a pivotal moment of American culture and history. It
is a unique aspect that makes this documentary a must-see for
everyone.
TONI
MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM opens Friday, July 12, at Landmark’s Tivoli
Theater.
Review
TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM – Review
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This biographical documentary has an advantage most documentaries about a literary giant lack: the living artist herself. And boy is that as a bonus. The charismatic, iconic Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison helps director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders tells her remarkable story in TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM and, better yet, Morrison offers insightful commentary on her own lauded, beloved novels.
Director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ wonderful documentary TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM is a comprehensive look at a true American treasure, Toni Morrison. This intelligent and entertaining documentary covers the life, the work and the times of this giant of literature and of American culture. Morrison is certainly a worthy documentary subject:. Morrison is the author of such works as SULA, BELOVED, and THE BLUEST EYE, and recipient of a Nobel Prize, a Pulitzer, the American Book Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among other honors. Her works speak particularly to the black experience and women’s experience, while at the same time being universal.
The documentary not only spotlights Morrison’s work but puts it in the context of the social shifts of the 1960s and 1970s, and beyond. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders is actually a friend of the author, which helped the director coax the usually private Morrison to agree to this project. It also gives him special access and insights on her personal and professional life, all which gives this finely crafted, stirring film a great boost.
TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM covers the author’s early life, her struggles as a divorced mother and an academic in a time when both women and blacks faced barriers and discrimination. It also follows her shift to publishing, and then her transition from editor to novelist.
Morrison speaks plainly, bluntly even, but with such personal charm and sharp humor, that the audience can’t help but fall under her spell. She offers insights on the unique neighborhood where she grew up and her family’s own history of standing up to racism, Morrison has some pointed things to say about early ’70s feminism and its relationship to black women, as well as offering praise for her colleagues at her small publishing house, and those later at the large publisher, Random House, that acquired it, the editors and others who encouraged her work as an emerging author in the way publishers once did.
Morrison was a true ground-breaker, not only in her own writing but in the way she opened the door to other black and women writers as an editor at Random House. This documentary is packed with information on her life and work, presented through archival footage and stills, interviews with notable figures such as Oprah Winfrey and Angela Davis, and commentary from numerous scholars and others, discussing the impact of her work.
Director Greenfield-Sanders crafts a strong, engrossing story but this documentary does greatly benefit from extensive interview footage of Morrison herself. This is particularly so when offering analysis of her writings, by critics or readers. How often have you read a novel that raised questions that you would like to ask the author? This documentary lets us hear the answers to some of these questions from the author directly. That is a rare treat but especially nice in this case as Morrison, a former teacher, knows exactly how to address these topics in the most thoughtful and thought-provoking manner.
Interviews with Toni Morrison are scattered throughout the film, as is archival footage of the author throughout her life. Morrison speaks about her work, her life, and her views on various topics. Hearing her commentary in her own voice gives this excellent film a singular insight into not only this author, but into a pivotal moment of American culture and history. It is a unique aspect that makes this documentary a must-see for everyone.
TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM opens Friday, July 12, at Landmark’s Tivoli Theater.
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars