Greetings,
I recently heard that someone was, yet again, trying to have the book To Kill a Mockingbird banned from schools. Yeah, this happens every so often with this and other great works of literature, probably because someone just doesn't get it. So, what better way to respond than to discuss a documentary wherein some very respected people and writers praise the ever loving heck out of this excellent book and its author.
Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & To Kill a Mockingbird is a 2010 documentary directed by Mary McDonagh Murphy. It does what any good biographical doc would do, taking us through the life of its subject, Nell Harper Lee, informing us of her family life, her friends, and those who helped her along the way. So, we learn of her youth in Monroeville, Alabama, where she lived with her family, including her father who was a lawyer and the inspiration for Atticus Finch and her older sister, Alice, who was interviewed in this at the age of 99. It was also where she met another young future writer by the name of Truman Capote, their friendship playing a huge role in two films of the mid-2000's. We also get to hear some of the interviews she did during the early stages of her success, as well as a behind the scenes look at the film adaptation. And of course, there is discussion of her reclusivity after the fact, how and why she never published a book again (this was before Go Set a Watchman was found), and how everyone knows that, despite that, they are sure she never stopped writing. Of course, she didn't stop. She was a writer. We never stop.
In addition to the basics of telling Harper Lee's story in a traditional way, it is interspersed with interviews of many acclaimed writers, such as James Patterson, Scott Turow, James McBride, Wally Lamb, just to name a few. Also, we hear from Mary Badham, the woman who played Scout in the film, Oprah, because she's Oprah and Tom Brokaw, because why not. There are just a load of great discussions from so many people, and I loved hearing everyone's take on the story, how it affected them throughout life and how Harper Lee was such an inspiration in so many ways. They even showed a class where young people were talking about the more difficult aspects of the book. It's almost like they can handle it. It's almost like it's important for them to be able to discuss these things. And that is for anyone trying to get this book taken away from them.
Now when it comes to the style of this documentary, I must say I liked the simplicity of it. The interviews were mainly done in the "talking head" way, but every time a new subject came up, the words appeared on the screen in typewriter font with the sounds of the machine bringing them to life. Simple, but effective, which I think is a perfect for the subject of this film.
But let's be honest. My favorite part of this documentary was the interview with the aforementioned Alice Lee. She just brought a smile to my face each time she appeared. At her old age, her hearing was not good and her voice was strained, but it was obvious that her mind was doing just fine. She was so articulate and she recalled all the memories of her youth with her family, as well as everything that her little sister sister, Nell, had gone through. She was a delight.
By the way, here's a little heads up. There is another documentary floating around called Harper Lee: From Mockingbird to Watchman. It's the same as this, but with about five extra minutes talking about the finding and publishing of the Go Set a Watchman manuscript. Honestly, you can watch either, since I'm pretty sure the same people are behind it, but I chose to review this one, because I like this title better. It's got "Hey, Boo" in it, for crying out loud. Was there even a choice?
In conclusion, if you love To Kill a Mockingbird, or books in general, this is a must see. It has great interviews and information, but it also has so much heart and so many wonderful things are said about the book. If nothing else, it shows how powerful the written word can be, even so powerful that it can change the world. And it's just one more thing that makes me very proud to be a writer.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
