Millay at Steepletop

I know nothing about Eda St. Vincent Millay and, aside from some low-brow limericks, don't particularly like poetry, so I am NOT the best person to judge this short documentary. So why in the heck did I watch it?! Well, that is a great question and the reason is Kevin Brownlow--the director of this film. That's because I have adored several of his other documentaries. No, not adored---that isn't strong enough for how much I loved his "Unknown Chaplin", "D.W.Griffith: Father of Film" and "Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow". These documentaries about these silent film geniuses are among the very best documentaries ever made...they are THAT good. The insights, the time taken to assemble the footage and the enjoyability of Brownlow's films are just a few of the reasons to adore his work and I wish all his films were on DVD.

So what did I think about the documentary about Millay? Well, I am not sure if it's all because I know nothing about her, but the film in no way made me want to know more about her. It is a rare instance where I didn't particularly like a Brownlow film. Part of it was because of the style (it was VERY dramatic in its readings of the memoirs of Millay) and part of it was because it really didn't teach all that much about the lady or install any interest in those unacquainted with her--though I assume her admirers would enjoy this film much, much more.

This looks like the sort of film you'd see playing repeatedly at a Millay museum or her home. I wonder if that's why it was commissioned.