2023 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
Dan Rather is a household name in the world of media–reporting events from the Civil Rights Movement to the Vietnam War to the Watergate Scandal. He was willing to go the extra mile to find the truth and to call out the people who stood before the American people and lied or hid parts of the truth. Rather is his story from his first days to the modern day–with in-depth coverage of all that he’s done throughout his illustrious career.
There was initially a disconnect between Rather and myself. While I was familiar with the name, Dan Rather was not a person that I was especially familiar with. I was unaware of his work or where his career had taken him (or where he has taken his career it seems). I’m the minority in this situation; I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone my age or older that isn’t familiar with Dan or his work–and that had the potential to make Rather difficult for me. There was a chance that Writer Dan Crane and Director Frank Marshall could have avoided reintroducing the media legend, assuming that everyone watching would already know who and what he was–but they didn’t take the easy road, they created a documentary that allows even viewers like me to understand and appreciate Dan and his work.
Rather, much like the person the film is based on, has the potential to be incredibly divisive–pitting political groups against one another, and the world against the media. Through the first hour or so that’s really the case. As a series of individuals defend Dan and his career, it seems obvious that the purpose of Rather is to defend sides rather than to educate on an entire subject. Then the best possible thing happens: individuals from opposing outlets and walks of life appear on screen, doing the same as everyone else–allowing viewers to understand that Dan’s reach is far beyond what I initially believed it to be.
When a slew of individuals from the Fox news station make an appearance (both in person and in archived footage), it changes the tone of the film. Rather shifts from a political commentary to something far more even keeled and open minded. Don’t misunderstand what I’m trying to say–because I believe that the intention was always there to be inclusive and accessible by all, but those late inclusions change things drastically and make that more known. Rather really does get itself on track early, but it also finishes strong–stronger than I imagined it could have.
Rather, whether anyone wants it to be or not, is driven, in large part, by politics–but it finds ways to place politics on the backburner from time to time and focus on the man of the hour. Dan deserves recognition for existing in this space for so long, and for being willing to do whatever it takes (within reason) to get real answers. He deserves to step into the spotlight for once in his career, where he really is the center of attention–and Rather provides him that opportunity. Rather is an in-depth look at Dan and all of his accomplishments–and it’s developed in a way that allows the film to appeal to all.
Directed by Frank Marshall.
Written by Dan Crane.
Starring Dan Rather, Robin Rather, Martin Rather, Ronan Farrow, Mark Cuban, Andy Cohen, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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