Review: Jonathan Demme Meets Jimmy Carter
Sure, the exceedingly respectful "Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains" does play like an infomercial, with director Jonathan Demme following the former president around as he promotes his latest book.
That the book - "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" - generated some controversy when it came out last year in no way means that the documentary itself will ever become controversial.
New Movie Reviews:
Philip Seymour Hoffman's "Devil"
Demme's "Man From Plains"
Eastwood's "Rails & Ties"Demme asked for and received constant, intimate access to the 39th US president, and ensured his subject that he intended to make a "warts-and-all" film about him.
Turns out, Carter is a thoughtful, decent man who's kind, warm and engaging with everyone he meets, whether he's at a book signing, church barbecue or lunch with the honchos from Simon and Schuster.
In one instance, Carter grows vaguely testy during a phone interview when it becomes clear that the person questioning him on the other end of the line has not read his book. Then he seems slightly sheepish about having grown testy. It's like Ned Flanders admitting that he's guilty of having excessive pride in the community when it comes time to make a confession at church to Reverend Lovejoy.
Nevertheless, "Man From Plains" does reflect the complexities within Carter's personality. We often see him speaking passionately about bringing peace to the Middle East, and about the argument he makes in his book that the Israeli occupation of parts of the West Bank and Gaza is tantamount to the racial segregation that occurred in South Africa. Carter spars eloquently in that Georgia drawl of his with Charlie Rose and Larry King, but then he shows self-deprecating humor when he appears on Jay Leno's show.
He sweetly details how he and his wife of 60 years, Rosalynn, still read aloud to each other from the Bible every night before bed, even if they're in different cities and have to do it over the phone. (And sometimes when they're feeling frisky, they'll even read the Spanish translation!)
But then he also has a little harmless fun flirting with the makeup artist for Tavis Smiley's show, a woman who calls him "honey" and "sweetheart" and gives him a farewell kiss on the cheek. Pretty permissive of those Secret Service agents!
By Christy Lemire