Life Itself - A

Rated R, 112 minutes

"Life Itself" a fascinating, engaging portrait of one of cinema's most memorable characters

If you see just one film over the July 4th holiday weekend, make it the new documentary "Life Itself," an enjoyable, fascinating look at one of movie's most interesting characters. "Life Itself" is the inspiring and entertaining look at world-renowned film critic and social commentator Roger Ebert, a story that's also personal, complex and often very funny. Based on his bestselling memoir of the same name the film also explores Ebert's legacy, from his Pulitzer Prize-winning film criticism at the Chicago Sun-Times to becoming one of the most influential cultural voices in America. Directed by Steve James of the Oscar-winning "Hoop Dreams," it's one of the most compelling, absorbing and highly entertaining movies of the year, and it's certainly one of the more memorable documentaries of late. It's also bittersweet and heartbreaking following Ebert's passing in 2013, and it only underscores his influence and how much he's missed. "Life Itself" focuses on Ebert's career in journalism and in film criticism, from his appointment as film critic at the Chicago Sun Times in the late 1960s to his host of the TV show "At the Movies" with his friend/nemesis Gene Siskel, which propelled film criticism to new heights and new levels. That section of the film (and his relationship with Siskel) is its most fascinating as well, though it does provide some insight and relevance into his personal life as well, that he was an overweight, self-absorbed alcoholic though also brilliantly smart and funny, who had some serious health issues later in life. Produced by acclaimed filmmakers Steven Zaillian and Martin Scorsese, "Life Itself" likely will appeal most to film geeks and critics like myself, though there's a heartwarming appeal and grace for anyone who's seen a movie; it's also sweet seeing his relationship with his wife Chaz and finding true love as he grew older. Ebert was a flawed character and far from perfect, but he loved movies and loved talking, and his significant contributions to cinema won't easily be forgotten, and the absorbing "Life Itself" may make you miss Ebert even more."Life Itself" does right by Roger Ebert - it's a beautiful, revelatory tribute - and that makes me glad. Thumbs up. A must-see.

Wes's Grade: A