In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons in Life with Saul Leiter

In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons in Life with Saul Leiter is a warmly inviting, touching, and intimate documentary about the life, work, and philosophy of the celebrated photographer Saul Leiter. Released in 2013, it provides viewers with a humble and deep understanding of one the 20th century’s most significant yet often overlooked photographic artists. Highly personal and unique in its nature, the film establishes Leiter not just as an artist but also as a wise, thoughtful, and humorous man.

Directed and produced by Tomas Leach, the heartwarming film is marked by profound simplicity and deep emotional resonance. It is not just a classic biopic that delves into Leiter's entire life chronologically or an art film predominantly showcasing his oeuvre. Instead, the film strikes a delicate balance between these two elements, offering an engrossing blend of personal interactions, artistic insights, candid confessions, and nonchalant humor.

Saul Leiter, a renowned pioneer of color photography, was renowned for his unconventional approach. His work had a unique knack for capturing the mundane, day-to-day life in startlingly beautiful ways. Mostly known for his work on the streets of New York in the mid-20th century, Leiter had an enviable ability to perceive beauty in commonality, and his photographs are revered for their ethereal, painterly qualities and masterful play with color and form.

In No Great Hurry reflects respective aspects of Leiter's creative process and philosophy. It follows Saul in his beloved New York neighborhood as he reflects on his life, work, and his views about staying humble regardless of success and recognition. The film shines a light on the photographer's thoughts and feelings as he navigates fame in his twilight years.

The director, Tomas Leach, offers an intimate look into Leiter's life without pretentiousness or reverence. The camera follows Leiter around his overstuffed apartment, packed to the brim with prints, slides, and art books. It captures Saul as he roams through the city, lurking in shadows, peering into his famous neighbors, and chuckling at life's absurdities.

Throughout the film, Leiter shares 13 life lessons, or personal philosophies, that have guided his journey. These range from contemplations about success, rejections, fame, dedicating oneself to their art, cherishing anonymity, perceiving beauty, and ultimately, about leading a meaningful life. His wit and insightfulness unravel through his ramblings, discussions, and interactions, shedding light on his complex personality and enriched creativity.

The '13 lessons' shared by Leiter form the film’s key narrative structure. However, they are not positioned as definitive truths, but rather shared as ruminations from a man who has truly lived. The lessons are presented with necessary subtlety, brevity and are sure to inspire some soul-searching reflections among viewers.

The film stands as a brave counterpoint to the contemporary glorification of the celebrity artist and the rat race for fame and fortune. Saul Leiter, instead, revered and cherished his modest lifestyle and privacy. Despite his remarkable talent, the artist shunned the limelight, valuing simplicity, and cherishing his limited number of prints. He laughed at his own lack of fame and enjoyed a self-deprecating humor, which subsequently became one of his most endearing traits. This humble approach to life and art forms an undercurrent flowing through the narrative of the film and articulated in Leiter's life lessons.

Visually, In No Great Hurry is a work of beauty and simplicity, much like the photographs Leiter took. It is visually rendered to echo the ambience of his work, often presenting the world as if seeing it through his eyes. Moments of calm and quiet are captured amidst the bustling city life, much akin to how Leiter captured the essence of life in his photographs.

In conclusion, In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons in Life with Saul Leiter is a delightful and heartwarming film that pays tribute to Saul Leiter, not just as an artist, but as an extraordinary human with profound wisdom and a refreshing take on life. The film is not just about Saul Leiter the photographer, but Saul Leiter the human, providing a rare insight into his psyche and distilling his wisdom for all to soak in.