Hating Breitbart

Hating Breitbart is a riveting documentary that delves into the life and seismic impact of the late new-media pioneer Andrew Breitbart. With a 90-minute run time, this documentary directed by Andrew Marcus, primarily focuses on Breitbart, a highly influential and polemicist figure, who stirred the American media landscape with his confrontational style.

Andrew Breitbart, formerly an editor for the Drudge Report, is vividly brought to life on the screen. Known for being an outspoken and unapologetic conservative, he was instrumental in launching the Huffington Post and his self-titled news networks, including Breitbart.com. The film offers an intimate reconnaissance onto the life of a man who was hugely instrumental in shaping new forms of new-age journalism and voicing his politically conservative perspective.

A smart juxtaposition of monologues, interviews, and raw footage, Hating Breitbart potently manages to create a narrative that stirs conversations about media bias, the nature of politics, and censorship in contemporary society. It captures Breitbart's spirit - energetic, combative, proud of his conservative stance, and unafraid of being vilified by his opponents.

One key narrative that the documentary skillfully elaborates on is how Breitbart rose to prominence by leveraging the power of the Internet. The unflinching use of citizen journalism, fact-checking mainstream media, and exposing political scandals; Breitbart emerged as a trailblazing media tycoon in the digital era. A significant part of the film is focused on the ACORN scandal and Breitbart’s role in it. It offers a closer look at the event, in which a community organizing group was exposed by Breitbart's team, without detailing what the exact outcome was.

Counterbalancing the intense focus on its subject, Hating Breitbart introduces us to other influential personalities such as Orson Bean and Dick Armey. Bean, a seasoned actor, and a long-time friend of Breitbart breathes life into his anecdotes sharing his own understanding and experiences with Breitbart. This addition offers a more comprehensive perspective on the dichotomy of Breitbart’s personality - a fierce media persona versus a caring, humorous, and utterly human individual.

Armey, a former U.S. Representative and House Majority Leader, provides valuable insights into Breitbart's significant contribution to the fusion of politics and the media. He offers commentary on Breitbart's media strategy, his fierce battling spirit, and his enduring legacy. Adding context to Breitbart’s fight against the mainstream media, it is in these narratives where the film does a wonderful job by unraveling layers to Breitbart’s image as a media titan.

Since this film centers around a notable right-wing figure, it surely comes with an air of controversy. It’s definitely polarizing, with numerous scenes showing protestors' and reporters' impassioned confrontations with Breitbart at Tea Party rallies and various conservative events. The title itself is said to be a representation of the environment of contempt that Breitbart found himself in, hence, ‘Hating Breitbart.’ Through these nuances, the film does not shy away from charting the intense backlash, criticism, and controversies that Breitbart faced, still managing to humanize him without becoming a hagiography.

The film uses these controversial moments to demonstrate Breitbart's unflinching mission: his passionate challenge to the predominance of mainstream media and his laser focus on holding them accountable. A key message that resonates throughout the documentary is Breitbart's unwavering commitment to truth, transparency, and accountability in news reporting.

An interesting aspect of the documentary is its editing style. The film often breaks its linear narrative to subtly sprinkle paced sequences of Breitbart's various media confrontations, footage of him handling vicious critique, along with heartfelt tributes from colleagues and friends. These subtle montages add texture to the narrative, painting a vivid and sprawling image of Breitbart.

Veritably, Hating Breitbart is a candid look into the impassioned life of a man who ushered in a new era of citizen journalism and fearlessly challenged the mainstream media’s narratives. While some may see it as a tribute to a conservative media maverick, others may see it as a window into understanding the mind of a man who radically transformed the media landscape. In the lens of Andrew Marcus, the film succeeds in being much more than a one-dimensional portrayal of Breitbart but serves as a mirror reflecting the whirlwind journey of a man who loved to stir the pot. Indeed, Andrew Breitbart’s life may be over, but his larger-than-life presence rippling through this documentary assures that his legacy is far from being forgotten.