Hey, Boo: Harper Lee And To Kill A Mockingbird

I am a little torn about Mary McDonagh Murphy's love letter to "To Kill A Mockingbird" in the documentary "Hey, Boo." I'm not quite sure if I thought it was a great film or merely a good one. It is both a fascinating look at one of literature's most enduring classics BUT also (by necessity) underdelivers on the promise of its own tagline. Don't misunderstand me, I loved this movie. And if you have an emotional connection with either the novel or the film or both--you will likely enjoy this tribute very much. It's certainly an easy recommendation. However, the book's author Harper Lee (who hasn't granted an interview since 1964) is largely absent from the piece. There are a few interviews with people who know her, including her colorful sister, as well as archival footage and interviews--but she remains as enigmatic as the mysterious Boo Radley. And without her participation, the film stands more as a contemporary tribute to a legend rather than fulfilling the promise of being "the untold story behind a great American novel." In truth, the movie is more concerned with how the book affected people and continues to do so--it is not particularly revelatory with behind-the-scenes insight.

That commentary on the marketing out of the way, I did find the documentary absolutely charming. "To Kill A Mockingbird," as both a Pulitzer Prize winning novel and an Academy Award winning film, holds a spot very dear to my heart. I connected with Lee's story when I was a youth and continue to think it is incomparably valuable and endlessly entertaining. I'm certainly not alone. This film assembles many noteworthy fans--from celebrities, to authors, to historians--who all join in singing its praises. Included are Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brokaw, Roseanne Cash, Wally Lamb, Scott Turow, and Richard Russo--just to name a few celebrity contributors. And the documentary celebrates the influence and impact that Harper Lee's work had on them. In one of my favorite sequences, we go to modern classrooms where the book is still being taught and see that it still has the power to captivate an audience. Readings are interspersed with footage from the Gregory Peck film, so it's especially nice to see actress Mary Badham (the movie's Scout) participate in recollections about Lee and the film.

Perhaps most noteworthy from a historical perspective, however, is that the original novel really challenged the status quo at the moment of its release. It helped to enlighten people about the social environment of the Deep South just as the nation was divided on issues of Civil Rights. It's easy to look back at Mockingbird as a classic, but we forget how very contemporary and challenging it was to readers at the time of its release. All in all, a truly remarkable work. Public scrutiny caused Harper Lee to withdraw from the limelight (and much speculation is provided on this topic), but at least she left a singular legacy of great import. 5 stars for its reverence to "To Kill A Mockingbird" as its subject, 4 stars for its claim of being an untold story--if you love Mockingbird, I'm betting you'll love this too. KGHarris, 6/11.

What starts out as a few predictably effusive praises from fans, particularly Southern writers, quickly turns into something so much more. Not only does the film explore familiar territory, such as the basis for Dill, Scout, and Atticus, it also explores the reasons behind Lee's seeming reclusiveness,and how she, through a surprising act of kindness, was able to write the book in the first place. Most importantly, however, the film depicts the impact the book had on a burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, For TKAM fanatics, this documentary is a must see, but even more, ANY TEACHER OF TO THIS BELOVED NOVEL SHOULD BUY THIS DOCUMENTARY. Every student should see the section on Lee's bravery and her impact on the deep South in the early 60's. After reading the novel AND seeing at least parts of this important documentary, students will leave with not only a fictional paragon, but a real life role-model as well. That is why I bought copies not only for my English Department, but for each of my sons as well. Yeah. It's that special.

"Hey, Boo" is a documentary about the power of a book to shape our history (personally and collectively), and between its vivid footage and its stellar cast of stars, authors, and participants, it makes the case for "To Kill a Mockingbird" as our great American novel. The story of how the novel was written -- after friends of Harper Lee gave her the money to write for a year -- is told movingly by these same friends, as well as by Lee's sister, pastor, neighbors, and publisher, some of whom are now in their nineties. How wonderful that the director was able to get them on the record! The novel's reach from small town Alabama to the front of the civil rights struggle, to Hollywood, to the contemporary classroom, and to the work of other writers is impressive and inspiring, and "Hey, Boo" captures that. If you're a reader or a student of American literature, you need to see this. If you're a writer or a teacher, my guess is you'll want to own it.

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