Jane

Jane is an absorbing 2017 documentary film that chronicles the remarkable life and career of British primatologist Jane Goodall. Directed by Brett Morgen and featuring an original score from renowned composer Philip Glass, the movie plunges viewers into the world of Goodall, a trailblazer in the field of primatology whose unprecedented work with chimpanzees redefined our understanding of the natural world and our place within it.

The movie masterfully intertwines original, never-before-seen footage shot in the 1960s by Dutch wildlife photographer and cinematographer Hugo Van Lawick, who would later become Goodall's husband, with contemporary interview footage of Goodall herself, now in her eighties. Skillfully blending elements of biography, science, and nature documentary, Jane paints a vivid picture of Goodall’s life journey, her ground-breaking research in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, and the profound changes that her discoveries brought to scientific perception of primates.

Jane delves into Goodall's humble beginnings, dissecting her early life growing up in England and her passion for animals that drove her to seek an adventurous career in Africa, despite the limited horizons often permitted to women in the 1950s. Goodall had no academic training or degree when she started her research. Still, her love for animals, zeal for observation, analytical mind, and strength of character allowed her to break down barriers and challenge the prevailing paradigms.

One of the film's central themes is Goodall's research on chimpanzees, which fundamentally altered the scientific community's understanding of these animals. Through Goodall's persistent observation, she made several groundbreaking discoveries, including the capacity for chimpanzees to use tools, previously thought to be an exclusively human trait. It's essential to remember the truly revolutionary nature of Goodall's work; in many ways, her findings reshaped not only primatology but also anthropology, pushing us to reconsider what, precisely, divides humans from animals.

Another key strand of the movie is Jane's love story with Hugo Van Lawick. A gifted wildlife photographer sent by National Geographic to capture Goodall's work, Van Lawick ultimately became Jane's husband. The film provides an intimate view of their relationship, offering viewers a peek into their shared passion for animals, their personal and professional collaboration, and the challenges they faced under the severe conditions of wilderness life. Their son, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick, also shows up in the film, presenting a personal narrative of growing up amidst the wild chimpanzee community in Gombe and the impact of his parents' work on his life.

Brett Morgen's sensitive and perceptive direction provides a poetic and deeply moving look into Goodall's life. His usage of over 100 hours of unseen, exquisite 16mm film footage discovered in the National Geographic archives adds an authentic, lost-in-time feel to the movie. This unearthed footage provides striking, close-up documentation of the animal life in Gombe, bringing Jane's research to life in a visually stunning and emotionally engaging way.

It's worth noting that the pulse-quickening original score by Philip Glass does more than just complements the visuals. It’s a pivotal element of the film, heightening the emotional undertones and adding an epic, almost opera-like quality that boosts the narrative.

Jane is more than a nature documentary or a biography; it’s a contemplation on humanity, nature, determination, and scientific endeavor. Aside from celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of Goodall, the film also serves as a poignant reminder of the intimate connection between humanity and the natural world, a world that needs our understanding, care, and protection more than ever.

Whether you’re a fan of Jane Goodall, an animal lover, a documentary aficionado, or just someone looking for a powerful cinematic experience, Jane is sure to both inform and inspire. It's a compelling viewing experience that resonates long after the end credits roll, leaving viewers with much to ponder about our own species and our relationship to others in the animal kingdom.