The 50 Year Argument

Description

The 97-minute film presents a hop-scotching journey through the New York Review of Books' history, covering events from the 1960s writer strikes and Civil Rights Movement to the Arab Spring uprisings. It aims to offer an overview of the Review's half-century and highlight newsworthy events covered in-depth, focusing on monumental clashes of intellect. The film presents a fascinating account of a publication that defies modern news reporting culture, though it avoids probing its political character beyond a broad interest in human rights.

The title references how the publication has frequently exposed underreported stories and challenged the mainstream. Anchored by editor Robert Silvers' old-world charm, the film focuses on notable contributors and articles, sliding fluidly between contemporary interviews and curated retro footage. Michael Stuhlbarg reads the spare voiceover, accompanied by a vintage jazz soundtrack. Articles are enriched by visual illustrations, and Scorsese has many famous articles read by their authors, resulting in a thematically dense but accessible film about how sensuous ideas can open dialogue toward social and political change.

The film has been characterized as a warm, engaging love letter from one New York institution to another, and a bracing film about the value of radical ideas.

Production and release

To mark the New York Review of Books' 50th anniversary in 2013, its editor Robert Silvers asked Martin Scorsese, a devoted reader, to direct a documentary. Scorsese agreed, calling it a chance to explore the adventure of thought and the sensuality of ideas. The film took a year and a half to make. A work-in-progress version screened at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2014, with its official premiere that June at the Sheffield Doc/Fest.

It then showed in Oslo, at the Jerusalem Film Festival, on the British series Arena, and at the Telluride Film Festival. September brought screenings at the Toronto, Calgary, and New York film festivals. It debuted on HBO on September 29, 2014, and appeared at the Tokyo Film Festival in October. Additional 2014 screenings took place in Rio de Janeiro, Mumbai, Denmark, and St. Louis, plus a Japanese television broadcast. A limited theatrical run in Toronto began in January 2015.

Reception

Press reviews at early screenings were generally favorable, noting the filmmakers captured the magazine's long-form reviews and independent political take. Some reviewers felt Scorsese and Tedeschi were noticeably well disposed to the Review. The Hollywood Reporter called the film a warm, engaging love letter but noted the irony of a film championing serious criticism without containing any serious criticism itself. The Guardian observed that the filmmakers celebrate the magazine rather than challenge it.

Variety concurred that the film comes mainly to lionize but successfully encapsulates the paper's origins, modern operations, and important articles. The Times remarked that Scorsese's nose for mafia-style feuds works well in this study of the literati. An Indiewire reviewer called the film a must-see that reveals pivotal cultural arguments started at the NYRB. Brooklyn Magazine called it a moving tribute.

The Washington Post commented that the film thoughtfully opens up the rarefied literary realm to viewers unfamiliar with it. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote that the film honors intellectualism and proves ideas are powerful in the hands of serious-minded people.