By Megan Bianco
At 89, character actress Elaine Stritch has two Emmys for the series “Law & Order” and “30 Rock,” a Tony for her one-woman show “Elaine Stritch: At Liberty” and numerous acting credits working alongside such luminaries as Stephen Sondheim, Noël Coward, Woody Allen, John Turturro, James Gandolfini and Rock Hudson.
For someone who’s been working on stage and screen for almost 70 years, she is still so consistent and lively. This month, a documentary on Stritch’s life and career called Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me is in theaters. While certainly enjoyable for acting fanatics, it holds appeal for casual moviegoers as well.
Director Chiemi Karasawa follows Stritch around town and her home as she prepares for her latest project, a solo cabaret act.
Along the way, we see Stritch work with her personal pianist Bob Bowman, her personal assistant Julie Keyes and behind-the-scenes footage of her work with Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey on “30 Rock.” The more private moments show her interacting with friends and fans and include personal reminiscences of her career.
Script supervisor-turned-filmmaker Karasawa reminds us that, though not a household name, Stritch is definitely a legend in her own right, and has no interest in retiring from the stage.
Shoot Me shows a feisty, vibrant entertainer who also has some hidden fears her audience may not have realized. Her story is a glowing example of lifetime show business success and aging gracefully, without regrets.
Discussion about this post