JANE

"JANE" is a 2017 American biographical documentary film directed by Brett Morgen which meticulously details the life and work of Jane Goodall, the celebrated primatologist, and conservationist. The film offers an intimate portrayal of Goodall, spotlighting her seminal research work with chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania.

Jane Goodall, known for her groundbreaking involvement in the detailed study of social and familial interactions of wild chimpanzees, was only a 26-year-old secretary when she set the scientific realm abuzz with her research. With little formal education but an undying passion for exploration, she changed the prevailing perspective on our primate cousins, and human nature itself.

Morgen artfully presents Goodall's narrative, by using over 100 hours of hitherto unseen archival footage from National Geographic, in addition to new interviews with Goodall. These collectively offer an unprecedented, personal portrait of Jane Goodall – a woman whose research challenged the male-dominated scientific consensus of her time and redefined our understanding of natural world.

As we follow Goodall on her journey, we witness her determination, resilience and undeniable love for wildlife. Her observations and recordings on the intricate behavior, emotional complexity and social structure of the wild chimpanzees were nothing short of revolutionary. Through the carefully curated footages, we vicariously feel the awe and marvel Goodall must have experienced living with the apes, as part of an alien but remarkably familiar society.

"JANE" also brings in to focus Goodall's relationship with her National Geographic photographer husband, Hugo van Lawick. Their romantic and professional partnership is beautifully illustrated by Lawick's candid footage capturing their joint adventures in the wild, and the birth and adolescence of their son, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick, who grew up in Gombe amidst the chimpanzees.

Delving into their deeply intertwined lives, the documentary subtly exposes the strains and struggles of this complex relationship. The reality of their lives, balancing familial responsibilities, the lure of the wild, and the pressures of the ever watchful public eye, paints a significantly more nuanced picture than that offered by the previously glamorous image of the couple glamorously conducting groundbreaking research in an exotic locale.

The documentary's poignant musical score by Philip Glass further amplifies the emotional resonance of Goodall's pioneering voyages and her infectious enthusiasm for her work. The ambient sounds of the Tanzanian jungle, intertwined with Glass's atmospheric compositions, transport the viewers right into the heart of the forest where Goodall spent most of her adult life.

Combining observational footage of the chimpanzees with heart-rending interviews of a reflective Goodall in her later years, "JANE" offers viewers a lucid vantage point to appreciate her immense contribution to science. While the flashback narratives are nostalgic, the contemporary interviews present an emotional context that enhances the overall understanding of Goodall's life and work.

Ultimately, the film is neither purely a story about the scientific pursuit nor simply a chronicle of personal relationships. Instead, it persistently illuminates the extraordinary life of a woman who fundamentally altered our perception of the natural world.

In its meditation on the borders between humans and animals, and between nature and civilization, "JANE" provokes introspection on the place of humanity in the animal kingdom and invites reflection on the interconnectedness of life on Earth. It's both a tribute to an extraordinary woman's patience, steadfastness, and unparalleled vision, and a broader contemplation on our role in conserving the natural world.

By striking a delicate balance between nature documentary and biographical sketch, "JANE" is a riveting narrative of a woman who was – and still is – well ahead of her time. It’s a gripping testament to her enduring legacy in primate behavior research and environmental preservation. Viewers come away from the movie with a profound sense of love for nature and a deep admiration for Goodall’s lifelong dedication and contribution to our comprehension of our closest genetic cousins in the vast complexity of life on Earth.

"JANE" is as mesmerizingly beautiful as it's profoundly moving, a heartfelt homage to a trailblazer, a pioneer and a living legend – Jane Goodall.