Review of Helvetica (2007) by Leah P — 05 Aug 2008

It's quite amazing how something so normal and ubiquitous, something that we rarely think about, can have such an interesting and complicated history; you wouldn't expect a font to inspire such passion and controversy but it really does.

Also, who would have thought that you'd end up taking sides whilst watching a documentary on Helvetica? I started off siding with the people who seemed so passionate about the way in which it had changed the world and united designers and portrayed something no other typefaces had done before, but as the film progressed and they showed more and more people who were opposed to the font for various reasons, I started to find that they had far more valid points that really struck a chord with me (that said, I am not opposed to the font.. just the idea that I would use it, were I a designer).

I don't think you have to have a specific interest in graphic design or typography in order to enjoy/appreciate this; it's so easy to apply it to other areas of art that might interest you a little more.. the ending, especially, sums up the point of this documentary and really gives the audience scope to apply this to whatever they're passionate about, and also to any ideas they might have surrounding their own personal identities. Well-structured, informative and thought-inducing; I finished up a lot more interested in the topic but also in the social ideas regarding the way in which people view it so yeah, good job Gary Hustwit. Nice use of music too.