>>REVIEW
TELL THEM WHO YOU ARE
DIRECTED BY Mark Wexler
ThinkFilm, 2005
Many sons have unresolved relationship issues with their fathers, but few choose such a public forum to hash them out. Documentary filmmaker Mark Wexler grew up in the shadow of his dad, legendary cinematographer Haskell Wexler, and not only felt abandoned due to his father’s long hours on set , but also felt as though papa never really loved him.
This story is nothing new, but what makes Tell Them Who You Are so unique is that in telling the story, Mark takes on his dad in the arena that Haskell is best known for, and in doing so enlists the help of Hollywood heavyweights Julia Roberts, Paul Newman and Jane Fonda. It’s a ridiculously brave move. With Mark’s conservative political and cinematic leanings, he becomes the target of much abuse from his radical leftist dad. Every time Mark raises the camera, he is met with a disapproving look from Haskell, as if to say, "Is that the shot you are going to use?"
On one level the film is an interesting and personal look at one of cinema’s greatest photographers. At the same time it’s a portrait of a man whose ego is clearly as big as his talent. As Mark and Haskell scrap their way through interviews and devastating personal history, Mark offers no-frills, pull-no-punches narration. The result is as compelling as a traffic fatality you might pass on the freeway. It’s messy and ugly, but you can’t stop looking. The more celebrities that sing the praises of Haskell, the more fault Mark seems to find with him. The more footage he gathers, the further away it seems to push them.
In the end, the film offers the same answers to the audience that it does to Mark. It doesn’t matter how much you want something. Sometimes, despite all your efforts, you can’t get it. |
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