Review of Left On Purpose (2015) by Paul D — 08 Dec 2016

Clearly the original game-plan for this documentary was to shine a fresh spotlight on an unsung, all-but-forgotten gem. Starting at age 15, Activist Mayer Vishner quickly became central-organizer of some of the biggest humanitarian battles of the late 60s and 70s.

This wasn't polite activism. This was in-your-face... fire-emoji, fire-emoji. Brash. Brazen. Effective. Ever with a purpose. Always for a worthy cause. And as his backstory is revealed and his present life unfolds, we see that Vishner's penchant for activism is still boiling over.

In fact...for his latest battle, Vishner decides to hijack this very film and make it a propaganda piece for his cause. Fortunately, it seems Filmmaker Justin Schein--who is at first in turmoil professionally over not just the subject of his film, and personally with this charming person who he has come to admire and deeply care for--realizes that in the most twisted of ways Vishner has cleverly helped him not only adhere to his original concept, but underscore it by documenting, first-hand, Activist Vishner, once again, in full-op mode: Vishner fights to win.

It is physical, emotional, and intellectual. And, as a result, this film not only inspires, showing Vishner's youthful activism (hopefully all-the-more treasured in this time when activism is essential), but it is also sure to spark a fresh and thoughtful dialog regarding life and death.