With insider access to The New York Times and its writers, Page One delivers wit and intrigue as steadily as the paper ’s presses. Andrew Rossi’s documentary on the “daily miracle” of news entertains while delving into the possibilities for what many would call a dying industry.
Rossi takes a seat in the Time’s Media Desk, following a medley of writers young and old as they report — often on the future of their own industry. In the wake of WikiLeaks, Twitter, blogging, and the overall decline of print, the film seeks answers to how, and perhaps even if, The New York Times will survive.
David Carr, a grizzly and husky–voiced media columnist, carries much of the film’s narrative power. His sarcasm and resilience not only give Page One its spark, but also voice the traditional values of journalism. Carr — who at one point tells his colleagues to turn off their phones at a barbecue — stands fast to the old ways of reporting, not yet folding to the world’s multi–media addiction. Playing off Carr is blogger Brian Stelter, whose thirst and savvy for technology represent the younger generation of news. Along with Stelter, the rest of the cast show the various facets of contemporary jounalism, all to the backdrop of staff cuts and grim budget lines.
An ominous tone is strung throughout the film as the reporters go through their hands–on, daily work. Although Page One strives to explore the viability of its subject, however, the grit of the question is at times weakly expressed. The film can border on sentimentality rather than a taking a hard–nosed look at the future of print. It isn’t that Rossi offer no evidence against the paper — a slew of commenters from major publications like The Nation, The New Yorker, and digitized media sites offer counterpoints. The film’s drawback is that these aren’t given enough weight before they are dashed by support. While that support is a testament of the writers’ loyalty toward their paper, it leads the film to a triumphant optimism without much real struggle.
As the film develops such optimism, it may lose an audience not already invested and in love with The Times, perhaps not unlike their readership. Even so, the honest camera– work and cast’s personalities make an enjoyable, thought–provoking documentary
3.5/ 5 stars
Page One: Inside The New York Times Directed by: Andrew Rossi Starring: David Carr Rated R, 91 min.
