MORE THAN THE RAINBOW – The DVD Review

Review by Kathy Kaiser

Dan Wechsler’s vision as he chronicles the life of street photographer Matt Weber, is truly mesmerizing, as the film MORE THAN THE RAINBOW brings an innate sense of realism to Matt’s life, and the streets of the city where his life and compassion for art combine – New York City.

Going from being a cabbie for 12 years on the streets of New York, this film shares how Weber’s love of photography evolved from the quick snaps out of his taxi cab window, to the full time street photographer he is today.

Along for the ride of telling not only Matt’s story –  but sharing their own – are numerous fellow photo journalists, who know where Matt’s  passion and realism comes from, as they too, make a living doing what they love – taking images of “their world” – sharing their own lives, passions and personalities along the way.

This film is filled with the incredible black and white images and old style photography that envelopes Matt’s creative genius as you find “his story” in every photograph, which seems to be filled with a harshness and sadness.  As you are subjected to more of his work throughout the film, you seem to feel a transposing of feelings from his own life, into the photographs and subjects he covers through his work.  His innate sense for capturing the humanity in all of us seems to be conveyed in every photograph he takes.

As fellow photographers Beckerman, Boogie, Gibson, Kroll and Strauss share throughout the film – being a professional photographer is a blessing –  and a curse –  as what many of us see an imagery beyond all understanding, seems to bore others to sleep, making it a hard living for some, and very fruitful for others.

Also enjoyable in this documentary, is the exchange between Designer Todd Oldham and Weber, as they produce one of his photography book “masterpieces”.  Both gentlemen are creative geniuses in their own right, but are so far in their ideologies and philosophies in life – somehow Oldham, as the masterful, graceful, and poetic designer is the perfect match for the gruff, disheveled, and brash Weber. Seeing this process unfold on screen is truly magical.

Unlike most documentaries, this film and its subject(s) keep you engrossed as you find yourself wanting to learn more about Matt Weber and the genius he creates in Black and White.