In 1963, a printer’s strike brought New York’s major newspapers to a standstill – and one savvy group of would-be publishers saw an opportunity. Charting a course made possible by a series of happy accidents, The New York Review of Books was born, driven by a desire to champion inquisitive and insightful analysis regardless of popular and prevailing opinion. Swiftly, the magazine cemented its place at the forefront of literary activity, covering not only its titular form of text, but expanding to think-pieces and reported articles on culture, politics, science and current affairs. A source of deliberation and discussion on topical issues, its authority continues to echo more than 15,000 pieces and over half a century later.
It is the publication’s status as an arbiter of debate that motivates the moniker of The 50 Year Argument, a documentary chronicle of its history and influence. Seamlessly interweaved archival clips and interviews inform an effort that never shies away from its celebratory status, nor escapes the thrall of the magazine’s significance. Contributors past and current share their experiences in to-camera testimonials, many relating tales of how The New York Review of Books moulded their work and careers both before and during their working involvement. Their fondness is evident, as is the film’s – and that of its directors, Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi.
Whether making fictional or factual cinema, Scorsese is not known for excising emotion from his efforts, or from shying away from excess, trends that The 50 Year Argument certainly follows. In his first documentary since 2011’s George Harrison: Living in the Material World, as co-helmed with that feature’s editor, his affection guides a thoughtful tribute that begins with the grandiose and continues in the same manner. Lofty aerial shots of the city provide the starting point, accompanied by narration – taken from the publication’s pages – on narrative truth and its shaping of memory through the merging of many minds. Endeavouring to prove the opening point, subsequent chapters read from essays on subjects such as war, feminism and race relations, charting the social climate of the time and the resulting impression made by The New York Review of Books’ coverage.
Presented with visual sheen but stylistic restraint, a picture of a pertinent editor arises as much as an ode to an outlet, with Robert Silvers the man not just of the movie but of the magazine’s entire existence. Though his life and personality aren’t explored, his professional praises are sung, and as each segment expands upon the talent that has flourished under his guidance, it is easy to understand why. The wealth of writers sighted spans greats of the medium, including Noam Chomsky, Susan Sontag and Gore Vidal. Indeed, unearthed footage of the latter two separately sparring with Norman Mailer – also a contributor – over attitudes towards women is the clear highlight of the documentary.
And so the film continues, an inescapable and earned attitude of importance driving an effort that is never less than informative and interesting, albeit underplaying the publication’s initial reason for being – book reviews – as it does. While dedicated to explaining why the magazine is important, also scarcely offered is a long look at its inner workings, or a concerted consideration of how its operations have weathered the ascension of digital media that has otherwise threatened the industry. Of course, a thorough portrait of the periodical, the personalities involved and the problems of publishing could furnish several features, with Scorsese and Tedeschi’s end result an accessible snapshot of its intellectual impact. More than anything, The 50 Year Argument offers an account of The New York Review of Books that plays just as it was intended: as a homage to honour a milestone anniversary.
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
The 50 Year Argument
Directors: Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi
USA, 2014, 95 mins
Antenna Documentary Film Festival 2014
http://antennafestival.org/
Sydney: 14 – 19 October
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