Review of Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me (2013) by Jonny P — 18 Jun 2016

"Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me" captures the crass, hard-working personality of Broadway actress Elaine Stritch. The documentary is more of a broad reflection of Stritch's career than a chapter-by-chapter biography.

It is also very honest as it explores everything from her glory days on the stage to her hospitalization from diabetes. Whether you are a Broadway fan or not, you need to see this in order to appreciate one of theater's most eccentric personalities.

The format of the documentary follows the elder Stritch as she prepares a one-woman stage show. The candid footage is priceless as she interacts with celebrities (mostly from the show "30 Rock"), charms audiences, and reflects on her career.

This priceless footage also shows another side of things as her frustration in rehearsal leads to cursing and her honest words about her problems with alcohol. When the performance finally arrives, it is pure magic to see her in her element and to see how the audience simply loves her.

Elaine Stritch passed away shortly after this documentary was released in 2014 but her legacy lives on through this truthful look at her life.