'Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me' A Review

Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me is a documentary about the life and career of Broadway legend and 30 Rock guest star Elaine Stritch. The film follows Stritch during the weeks before her 87th birthday- her life at The Carlyle, rehearsals for her new one woman show, performances, filming 30 Rock, and hospital visits resulting from her struggle with diabetes.

The film is not a retrospective but a portrait of Stritch's life now. There is a section where her assistant shows her pictures from the past and she gives quick and fascinating stories for each but the focus of the film is much more on Elaine Stritch at 86 struggling with her age, mortality, and illness toying with the idea of retirement but incapable of ceasing to be a performer.

Stritch candidly talks about everything. She is honest and demands honesty from those around her. She is opinionated and vocal and it is easy to understand why she would have a reputation for being "difficult to work worth". Conversely we simultaneously see her enormous heart, her insecurities, and her deep love for her friends and profession. She discusses her alcoholism with eloquence and her mortality with an astonishing acceptance. She lights up theaters when she is on stage and lights up her friends and strangers on the street whenever she encounters them.

A funny and poignant glimpse into a one-of-a-kind artist. A lesson, a guide, an inspiration.

See It.