Lee Marvin, Robert Mitchum, John Wayne-they live again. His wit and attention to spot-on descriptive detail render every chapter an engrossing joy.ĭuring his career, Ebert hobnobbed with the great film stars of yesteryear, and his sections depicting some encounters virtually verbatim are priceless. Life Itself‘s chronology is not absolute, but he shares keen observations about growing up in Central Illinois, his tenure as editor of the University’s Daily Illini student paper, and eventually making his way to Chicago.

Roger Ebert was born in Urbana, Illinois, and his Midwestern roots remained strong all his life, along with his passion for books, writing, newspapers and, of course, film. But he found a new (literal) voice thanks to computer technology, and a new public persona via blogs he consistently shared with his online followers until his death in April 2013.Įbert’s love of the written word, and the joy he derived from sharing his thoughts and opinions with anyone within reach of a computer never dimmed, and we can be grateful that his determination also resulted in his superb 2011 memoir Life Itself, and the 2014 documentary it inspired. Beginning in 2002, Ebert began a life defined by cancer of the thyroid and salivary glands, necessitating the eventual removal of his lower jaw, leaving him unable to eat or speak. His bride was Chaz Hammelsmith, who made him a stepfather and -grandparent, roles he would cherish. In 1992, at age 50, Ebert married for the first time. The two men would endure a tumultuous relationship, ending in 1999 with Siskel’s untimely death, although the show continued with Ebert and other co-hosts. Its various versions ran from 1978 to 2010, and made “two thumbs up” the ultimate praise for anything. He later shot to national prominence thanks to Siskel & Ebert At The Movies, the wildly popular syndicated TV film review show, co-hosted by rival critic Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune. Roger Ebert was the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, which he achieved in 1975 during his career-long tenure with the Chicago Sun-Times.

This is a challenging piece for me to write: how does one do justice to an amazing book AND a tremendous documentary, which individually and collectively convey the life of a remarkable man? All I can do is try, including the inadequate phrase “highly recommended…”

Roger ebert life itself book