TIFF 2020 film review: 'The Way I See It'
In creating the portrait of a statesman, 'The Way I See It' (screening at the 45th Toronto International Film Festival and opening in theaters Sept. 18) informs what a statesman, leader and an American president should look like.
In short: Former Chief Official White House photographer Pete Souza recounts his time chronicling the Obama and Reagan presidencies.
By its very nature, 'The Way I See It' feels like a cinematic treatment of a photograph slideshow - luckily it's one hell of a slideshow. He had a front-row seat to a pair of beloved, historic U.S. presidents. Most of Souza's narration comes straight from his speaking engagements, where he recounts the presidential and personal significance of moments frozen in time. His photos perfectly capture the weight and emotion of presidential moments big and small. At one point Souza says he believes the White House photographer is a "historian with a camera" and the totality of this documentary makes the case that a presidential photographer should be a mandatory position in every White House, if only to give the American people an up-close and unfiltered picture of the American President.
Souza's portfolio of photographs are simultaneously a demystification of the Leader of the Free World and outline of what all presidents should aspire to become. It could be argued that the documentary is little more than the big screen adaptation of a coffee table book, however, composing Souza's unique, humorous and moving insights with his impeccable photography reveals a deep respect for presidency, with aspiration themes of compassion and empathy all Americans can embrace.
The effectiveness of this documentary is somewhat dulled by its pointed critique of President Trump. This is not to say that Trump is above criticism but 'Way I See It' only hints at its thoughts on Trump before taking a sharp turn in its final 15 minutes and going full anti-Trump. The fact that this sentiment is tacked on at the end makes it almost superfluous to the documentary as a whole. 'The Way I See It' stands as mostly a timeless statement on what it means to be "presidential" ... until its closing segment, when it becomes solely attached to critiquing Trump rather than contrasting any and all leaders to the stated civility and humanity of Reagan and Obama. The documentary is unambiguous in its condemnation of President - but this comes at the alienating potential audiences too easily triggered by critique of Trump (even if the critique is objectively fair).
Final verdict: With stirring and intimate photographs, this documentary composes an inspiring portrait of leadership, from the perspective a man uniquely positioned to capture the humanity and grace of two U.S. presidents.
Score: 3.5/5
'The Way I See It' screens during TIFF 2020 and opens in theaters Sept. 18. This documentary is rated PG-13 for brief strong language and has a running time of 100 minutes.
