Jane

One of the best documentaries. Flows and moves like an actual movie, with a narrative that moves so effortlessly with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Brett Morgen should really be applauded for giving this such a rich pathos and a clear thematic focus; it feels so cinematic, and has a real sense of progression.

To see such parallels between Goodall's duties as both a wife and mother when compared to her animal subjects is so endearing, especially knowing that this is real footage being used; in that light, this is one of the year's best edited films.

'JANE': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A documentary biopic about the life and work of Jane Goodall. Goodall is a world famous primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist, vegetarian and animal rights activist, who challenged the male dominated science of her time, to revolutionize the world's understanding of humans relations to non-human animals, and nature, through her groundbreaking chimpanzee research. The film was written and directed by Brett Morgen, and it's received nearly unanimous positive reviews from critics, as well as some prestigious awards recognition too. Being a huge animal lover, the film was really interesting and inspiring to me.

The film takes place primarily in the 60s, when Goodall traveled to Gombe Stream National Park, in Tanzania, to study chimpanzees in the wild, and their social interactions with each other. Her findings revolutionized the way we view chimpanzees, other primates, and animals in general. They also challenged the male dominated studies on the subject of that time too. The story is told through old footage, that just became public, and through interviews with Goodall now herself.

Being an animal lover, and vegan, it is incredibly inspiring to see how positive Goodall was in the animal rights movement. She also (obviously) helped advance women's efforts and work in science. So the film is definitely inspiring in those ways too, and it's also just really interesting to watch. The footage of chimpanzees in the wild is always fascinating to view as well. It's a little slow-paced at times, when the primates aren't onscreen, but it's mostly a very interesting and educational documentary.

Now don't expect this documentary to give you a solution on the question that might haunt some of us. Are we related to apes? Now there are other places to find answers to that. If they comforting or even final is another story. This story right here, concerns a woman who lives with and amongst apes.

The structure is really good and the movie builds up. Now this is something that really happened and the footage shows us a lot of things. For some it may feel a bit boring, but it's the small things that really elevate this. Be it how step by step she comes closer to the monkeys (no pun intended). Interviews and other things, and of course life itself intervene or at least throw obstacles in her way. Really interesting and intriguing at the same time

JANE

Although I've watched shows and news coverage about Jane Goodall through the years, I found this documentary to be a fresh take on the beloved subject, Jane. The narrative follows Jane's personal development on a parallel track with a close chronicle of her work. I learned a lot about Jane that I didn't know, and I want to learn more. I appreciated that the film is simple, quiet, and narrated in Jane's own calming voice. I find her physical presence to be lovely and uplifting and the footage that was just found in the past few years is fascinating and beautiful.

What an amazing true story, makes you smile form ear to ear.