Grace and Dignity…Roger Ebert is the Man
I love Roger Ebert. I always have. As a very small child, I remember watching -- and loving -- Siskel & Ebert's At the Movies. It was always one of those weekend traditions -- track down the syndicated "At the Movies" broadcast and find out about upcoming films. Even after my family got Internet access in 1996 or so, I still loved watching Siskel & Ebert. It's so nice that the archives from 1986 onward have been preserved online.
In 2006, Roger underwent surgery to remove cancer near his jaw. There ended up being some pretty serious complications and Ebert is no longer able to speak. He's also unable to eat or drink. But he can write.
Can he ever write.
In my opinion, Roger Ebert is one of the best film critics in history -- from both an academic and populist perspective. His reviews and commentary easily best the most revered film journals (and as someone who spent way too many years in college studying film, I honestly have to say, academic film writing can be really, really irritating), yet his coined thumbs-up, thumbs-down approach can bring the film forward for the non-academic film follower.
I have always admired Ebert's writing and his approach to film criticism. Despite losing the ability to physically speak, Ebert's voice hasn't disappeared. If anything, his writing -- already a cut above -- has become even better. Maybe it's one of those senses things. Like how your sense of smell and hearing can be elevated if you lose your sight?
I don't know, the man is incredible. I wasn't planning on my first Project 52 entry, I had another draft planned. I'll just publish that tomorrow or Saturday. I read this blog entry of Ebert's (thanks @highsign) and just had to link to it -- but I wanted to also try to say something more.
I dreamed. I was reading Cormac McCarthy's Suttree, and there's a passage where the hero, lazing on his river boat on a hot summer day, pulls up a string from the water with a bottle of orange soda attached to it and drinks. I tasted that pop so clearly I can taste it today. Later he's served a beer in a frosted mug. I don't drink beer, but the frosted mug evoked for me a long-buried memory of my father and I driving in his old Plymouth to the A&W Root Beer stand (gravel driveways, carhop service, window trays) and his voice saying "...and a five-cent beer for the boy." The smoke from his Lucky Strike in the car. The heavy summer heat.
But really, read this. What more can you say. What an amazing person (with an amazing family and support system), what an amazing writer.
Read this. The man can't physically speak (not that computers aren't great), yet he has said more than some individuals -- no matter how loquacious -- could in a lifetime. Roger Ebert, you are my hero.
Originally published at www.ChristinaWarren.com. You can comment here or there.