Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me

Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me is a 2013 intimate yet comprehensive documentary offering an inside look at the life and career of legendary Broadway performer Elaine Stritch. Curated in meticulous detail by filmmaker Chiemi Karasawa, the film is both an alluring and warm tribute to a giant of the stage and screen, as well as a witty narration of the triumphs and adversities of a life lived in the limelight.

The documentary features Elaine Stritch, a fearless talent renowned for plays like "Bus Stop", "Sail Away", "Company" and movies and TV shows like "30 Rock" and "September". Stritch, known for her forthright personality, voracious wit, and penchant for truth-telling, was a beloved and respected figure in the entertainment industry. The movie up close captures Stritch in her final years, at a time when she was still rehearsing, performing and refusing to let age, diabetes or even death stand in her way.

Stritch offers us a frank and unabashed view of her life. The documentary brings the viewer close to Stritch's personal life off-stage, incorporating interviews, candid footage, and some archival material. From her thoughts on aging to her battles with alcoholism and her struggle with diabetes, Stritch delivers her stories without a hint of melodrama, crafting a poignant and deeply moving narrative.

Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me does not confine itself to Stritch's recollections. Rather, the film offers testimonials from Stritch's contemporaries and admirers. Among the line-up of A-listers giving their perspective on what makes Stritch so formidable are Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, who were Stritch's co-stars on the hit NBC comedy "30 Rock".

Tina Fey, the multi-talented writer and actress, reminisces about her experiences working with Stritch. On the other hand, Alec Baldwin expresses his admiration for her resilience and talent. Interviews with a variety of other industry insiders, like James Gandolfini, Cherry Jones, Harold Prince, and the late film and theater critic John Lahr provide further texture.

As well as revealing professional insights, Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me also chronicles Stritch’s personal life, tracing her upbringing in Michigan and her attempts to gain a foothold in New York’s Broadway scene. The emotional cost of her hunt for fame and the personal sacrifices she made to build her iconic career are given due prominence in the film.

Notably, the film also pays homage to Stritch's signature minimalist style (a shirt worn as a dress and black tights), her insecurities, and her heartwarming romantic storytelling, giving viewers a panoramic view into the depths of her character.

Director Chiemi Karasawa tactfully avoids clichéd sentiment, instead, preserving Stritch's candid revelations, feather-ruffling honesty, and playful irreverence. The intimacy of the film is enhanced with interspersed moments of Stritch’s wry humor and candid confessions, lending genuine comedy and heartbreak in equal measure without ever turning maudlin.

At its core, Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me is a timeless tribute to a Broadway star. Yet, it transcends mere biography to meditate on art, aging, love, and the human will to keep performing. The film dovetails Stritch’s caustic wit and exacting standards with rare vulnerability. Her final performances showcase her legendary stamina and spirit undiminished, despite the odds, bringing in a sense of catharsis.

Karasawa's deft directorial maneuvers and simple cinematic techniques in combination with Stritch's larger-than-life persona make the film a formidable narrative that tells the story of a legacy while it was still being lived. Witnessing Elaine Stritch's indomitable spirit, the grit behind the glamour, the trials and tribulations she has been through, the film becomes more than a celebrity profile. It becomes a study of the human spirit, fearlessly staring into the face of age, death, and decline.

Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me fashions a bold and unflinching portrait of the one-of-a-kind artist. It teaches us about passion, resilience, and the perils and joys of a life thrown open to public scrutiny. The film serves as both a fitting tribute to Stritch's six-decade-long career and an intimate insight into the life of an extraordinary woman.