SLIFF 2014 Review – HOLBROOK/TWAIN: AN AMERICAN ODYSSEY

HOLBROOK/TWAIN: AN AMERICAN ODYSSEY screens 6:00pm Sunday, November 23rd at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium as part of the St. Louis International Film Festival. Ticket information can be found HERE

Review by Kathy Kaiser

Director Scott Teems brings to a life a documentary that will touch you in a profound and intensely gratifying way, as he takes you deep into the life of American Author Samuel Clemens – a.k.a. Mark Twain – but through the eyes and 60 year career of American icon and prolific actor, Hal Holbrook. HOLBROOK/TWAIN: AN AMERICAN ODYSSEY  tells the tale of Hal Holbrook’s life and legacy playing the legendary author Mark Twain – as told by fellow actors, mentors, even Twain historians, who share how Holbrook’s constant and unwavering presence in theaters on Broadway and all across our nation, in 20 foreign countries, in front of five President’s – even performing behind the iron curtain, has made not only Mark Twain, but Hal Holbrook an AMERICAN LEGEND. Teems also takes you deep into Holbrook’s life beyond the make-up and persona of Twain, that is both touching and revealing, as Holbrook shares his own thoughts too, on playing such an iconic character, his undying love for his third wife – Dixie Carter, and how his children’s lives were tragically affected from his lack of fathering, in pursuit of his one true passion – ACTING.

Whether you enjoy History or not, or enjoy documentary’s, or not – HOLBROOK/TWAIN: AN AMERICAN ODYSSEY is one of those films that you have to place on your MUST SEE LIST at SLIFF this year, as it is both creatively stimulating and emotionally moving from it’s very first frame to it’s last. Seeing Holbrook not only perform, but to actually bring MARK TWAIN to life was incredible to see, and hearing what others had to share about his work throughout his career was also very moving.   Seeing Holbrook perform this masterpiece of work in person, would truly be a highlight for me personally too, as apparently, even though his is now a spry 89 years of age, performing is still one of his true joys in life, and seeing this “lecture” would be unforgettable.