Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II & IV • March 19, 2014 Documentary traces life of performer Elaine Stritch by Dennis Seuling “Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me” is a documentary about the legendary Broadway/cabaret/TV performer as she approaches her 87th birthday and is about to leave show business after a 65-year career. Director Chiemi Kara- sawa follows Stritch through her day as she leaves her Carlyle Hotel apartment, coffee cup in hand, walking briskly as passers-by recognize and greet her. Viewers see her rehearsing for a performance of her one-woman show — singing the songs of one of her favorite com- posers, Stephen Sondheim — a grueling process as she becomes frustrated by forgetting lyrics. She is prompted by her piano accompanist Rob Bowman, who reacts to these lapses with a combination of concern and humor. No one is harder on Stritch than the woman herself. The film includes excerpts from past performances, including her one-woman hit “Elaine Stritch at Liberty” and a one-night-only show at New York City’s Town Hall. The latter is especially amazing since she is shown strug- gling in rehearsal with the lyrics to “I Feel Pretty,” but in the performance she is letter-perfect, not only nailing the lyrics but delivering them with gestures, comic empha- sis, and authority. In makeup and a becoming hairstyle, the insecure, forgetful woman from the rehearsal takes the stage as a confident performer in full control of her material. That is what makes the documentary so fascinating. Stritch is a collection of contradictions and triumphs. She had her battle with booze and now suffers from, and is terrified by, diabetes. She has been in the hospital for assorted ailments, yet she always rallies and comes out swinging. There is some behind-the-scenes footage on the set of “30 Rock,” on which Stritch portrayed Alec Baldwin’s grumpy, opinionated mother. It is apparent that cast and crew love her and love being around her. Many celebrities are on hand singing her praises. James Gandolfini, Tina Fey, Cherry Jones, Nathan Lane, Tracy Morgan, and John Turturro speak fondly — even reveren- tially — of her and comment on her straightforwardness and honesty even when this may ruffle feathers. She has gotten to the age, by her own admission, when she can get away with a lot and she takes more advantage of that than of her celebrity to get her way. Her vulnerability surfaces when she speaks about her husband, John Bay, whom she lost to cancer in 1982. She cried endlessly when he passed away and never remar- ried, but in time determined to move on. The best aspect of the movie is that it does not paint Stritch as a perfect living legend. On the contrary, the woman has her flaws, but still endears herself to fellow ‘Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me’ is a documentary about the col- orful entertainer as she contemplates retiring from show business. show biz folk and connects emotionally with her audi- ences. It is hard to imagine that Stritch could ever retire from the business that is so much a part of her, yet viewers see her return to Michigan, after having lived in Manhattan for 70 years, to buy property so she can be near her family as she moves on to the next chapter in her life. Stritch is a great subject for a documentary and director Karasawa convinces viewers that we are seeing the real, unadulterated woman rather than a polished, edited ver- sion with defects eliminated. In bygone days, she might have been referred to as “a real broad.” Today, she is a show business fixture, an active performer, and a reposi- tory of wonderful, witty anecdotes. Cook Up Some Business! Advertise your restaurant in The Villadom TIMES. You’ll reach over 47,000 households. 201-652-0744 www.villadom.com