Come on a Journey of Learning With a Father and Son

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MOVIE REVIEW
The Book Keepers
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2022
Runtime: 1h 32m
Director(s): Phil Wall
Where To Watch: Streaming October 18, 2022, and on DVD November 22. Watch virtually at watch.firstrunfeatures.com/products/the-book-keepers-at-first-run-s-nyc-cinema-club

RAVING REVIEW: Not your average run-of-the-mill documentary. THE BOOK KEEPERS is a passionate look at Dick Wall’s journey to keep his wife’s dream alive after she passed.

Often a documentary tells the story of what was, and this one tells us the story of what could be. Dick Wall and his son Phil Wall take us on this journey about being the spokesperson for his late wife’s book.

Carol Wall’s memoir about cancer and life looked to be a huge success, then just months after its release, Carol lost her battle when cancer returned. Dick wasn’t going to let that be the end of her story. Phil joined his father, making sure to capture this incredible journey of life, love, loss, and overcoming the odds.

You can see Dick’s journey in the film; you genuinely can tell that this effort is helping heal him along the way. While this is Phil’s third documentary, you can tell that the personal connection makes the film more than just another project.

One of, if not the most important things about the film is its raw honesty, the connection between father and son is evident even though the film is about Dick’s journey. There is something about cancer that leaves people with so many unanswered questions; while we are getting to celebrate more and more happy outcomes, there are still many heartbreaking ones like this.

Something was reassuring about the multilevel approach taken here. The film shows an act of mourning, an attempt at keeping his wife’s dream alive, and his way of healing himself. While also being a story about journeying into the unknown and facing battles of what comes at you while you learn to heal. It almost feels like a coming-of-age story for someone who has lived a life and is stepping out into their next chapter.

The little moments and tidbits about Carol and Dick’s life together that he recounts throughout the film will take you through every emotion on the spectrum, from pure joy to sorrow and everything in between.

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