Poet’s Journey: Rebellion and Legacy

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MOVIE REVIEW
The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg
TV-14 –

Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 1993/2005, 2023 First Run Features DVD
Runtime: 1h 24m
Director(s): Jerry Aronson
Where To Watch: available October 24, 2023; pre-order here www.kinolorber.com, www.firstrunfeatures.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Step into the experience that is THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ALLEN GINSBERG, a documentary that frames the storied existence of this literary titan within the counterculture maelstrom of his time. While the film serves a banquet of rich historical insights and poetic enthusiasm, it also prompts a desire for a more significant exploration. This isn’t a knock on the film, just a statement that this life couldn’t be fully explored in the approximate hour and a half runtime.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ALLEN GINSBERG opens a window into a narrative as intense as any thriller, with its protagonist breaking chains of conformity to become an architect of cultural upheaval. The documentary frames Ginsberg's era in a fusion of colorful vivacity and grayscale contemplation, reflecting the internal and external chaos of the times. The poet's story is meticulously curated from a tapestry of interviews, archival gems, and captivating poetry performances. This story spans almost eight decades of an incredible and powerful life.

On-screen, Ginsberg is a force; his poetry sessions are a pull that's hard to resist. His trajectory from the shadows into the limelight resembles a well-scripted drama filled with personal and professional crescendos. THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ALLEN GINSBERG truly excels in its reconstruction of historical ambiance and its focus on the poet's early years. The latter segments, detailing his spiritual quests, musical adventures, and relentless advocacy, mix into a montage I would love to explore deeper.

At its emotional apex, the film revels in Ginsberg's poetic sessions, his voice breaking free from convention, much like a musical score. The film's most genuine sequences are those where Ginsberg himself takes the narrator's seat, offering a rare, unguarded introspection. As the final credits ascend, you can’t help but want more and more. I could have easily watched a mini-series on his life and times. This was one of the more eye-opening experiences I’ve had while exploring a documentary on someone I wasn’t familiar with (other than by name.)

In essence, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ALLEN GINSBERG is an extensive and respectful nod to its subject in showing an unvarnished Ginsberg. It quickly offers the coverage of his life, navigating through decades of material in minutes, an excellent surface-level exploration. The viewer is left appreciating Ginsberg's monumental legacy and wondering about the unexplored paths in this extraordinary life.

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[photo courtesy of FIRST RUN FEATURES, KINO LORBER]

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