Introduction to a Legendary Journalist
The news of a famous person’s death often triggers a familiar routine. News departments from various networks quickly work together to create a special that answers basic questions about the person’s life and significance. These tribute packages serve a valuable purpose, providing a sense of closure for grieving fans and satisfying the curiosity of others.
The Documentary: A Decent but Thin Primer
The documentary "Barbara Walters: Tell me everything" feels like one of these posthumous overviews for a large part of its 95-minute run. It attempts to emulate the iconic television journalist by leading the audience through basic information and occasionally touching on provocative topics. However, it rarely delves deeper than hero worship.
Walters’ Approach to Journalism
The idea of mirroring Walters’ own interview tactics is not bad, but as explained in the documentary, it falls flat. The film shows Walters’ approach of using seemingly basic questions to calm down her subjects before sneaking in more probing or cunning queries. However, since the documentary doesn’t really speak to Walters, it’s difficult to know who she’s trying to calm down and to what end.
A Look into Walters’ Life and Career
The first half of the documentary follows Walters’ path from childhood to her early reporting days, including her time on "Today" and "ABC Evening News." The film material is exceptional, albeit familiar, with Walters interviewing presidents, dictators, and actors. The interviews with various producers, colleagues, and stars who worked with Walters are friendly and professional but don’t offer much depth.
Insights from Notable Figures
In the second half of the documentary, things improve as we follow Walters into her later years. We gain insights from notable figures like Katie Couric, Oprah Winfrey, and Connie Chung, who followed in Walters’ footsteps. There are interesting sections on Walters’ famous Rolodex, the competitiveness of interview booking in the 80s and 90s, and a fantastic segment on Walters’ famous interview with Monica Lewinsky.
The Absence of Key Figures
However, the documentary lacks interviews with key figures like Diane Sawyer, whose absence is notable given the importance of their rivalry. Walters’ frequently alienated daughter, Jacqueline, is also not present, which is a significant omission considering the film’s thesis that Walters chose her career over love and family.
Speculation and Lack of Depth
The documentary’s handling of Walters’ personal life is left to people without direct personal knowledge, resulting in hollow speculation. We’re given many personal details about Walters’ relationships and marriages, but these are not explored in depth. Instead, we’re presented with vague statements from people like Cindy Adams, a legendary gossip columnist, and a makeup artist whose role in Walters’ life is never explained.
A More Effective Tribute
The most emotionally resonant part of the documentary is not even from the documentary itself. The parade of female journalists who appeared in Walters’ last episode of "The View" is presented in its entirety and offers a more effective overview of Walters’ cultural impact than anything in the documentary.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the documentary asks the question: "Can you have everything? No, but that’s okay." However, this conclusion feels simplistic and doesn’t fully explore the complexities of Walters’ life and career. The documentary would have benefited from more time and depth, rather than feeling like a rushed tribute that could have been released shortly after Walters’ death.
