Something's Gonna Live

Something's Gonna Live is a touching and powerful documentary from 2009 that explores the extraordinary lives and careers of six of the Hollywood's most prolific and influential film artists. Directed by Daniel Raim, the movie revolves around the life and careers of a distinctive group, namely Robert F. Boyle, Henry Bumstead, Conrad L. Hall, Harold Michelson, Albert Nozaki, and Haskell Wexler.

The central characters of this beautiful movie portrait, Boyle, Bumstead, and Hall, are all well-established personalities in Hollywood, renowned for their unique contributions in the fields of art direction and cinematography. Robert F. Boyle, known for masterpieces like North by Northwest and The Birds, holds an iconic status among production designers. Henry Bumstead, a two-time Academy Award Winner, notably marks his career highs with To Kill a Mockingbird and Unforgiven. Cinematographer Conrad L. Hall, known for his remarkable work in In Cold Blood and American Beauty, was also an Oscar recipient several times.

Something's Gonna Live is more than just a tribute to these golden era legends—it dives into their hearts and minds, providing a deeply personal and profound philosophical outlook on their craft and their attention to cinematic details. From revealing fascinating behind-the-scenes tales to offering intimate glimpses into their seniors' wisdom, this film serves as a celebration of life, art, and cinematic beauty.

At its core, the film is a deeply moving and humanistic reflection of the different aspects of filmmaking. It showcases how each of these artists brought life to their work even in the face of the rapid transition from classic to modern cinema. The film reaches its thematic peak in several sequences where we see these artists revisit the sites of their previous film sets, reflecting emotionally on their past works, friendships, and the transience of life.

The fellow artists, Harold Michelson (Star Trek), Albert Nozaki (The War of the Worlds), and Haskell Wexler (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), exponentially broaden the perspective of the narrative and deepen its nostalgic ambience. Their contribution forms an integral part of the documentary, reminiscing on their past, invoking an unwavering love for their craft, and the human spirit that infused their architectural canvases.

The significance of the movie lies in the anecdotes, both profound and mundane, shared by these compelling characters. They grab the viewers' attention and provide insight not just into the movies but also into the people who dedicated their lives to the art of cinema. They speak volumes about their resilience, passion, and creativity, outlining their experiences and challenges in classic Hollywood and how they exercised their genius to create unforgettable cinema.

The relationship between cinema and mortality is a recurrent theme throughout Something's Gonna Live. In their twilight years, these doyens of cinema open up about their fears, regrets, and satisfactions, bearing a real-life testament to their vitality and conviction. It's a powerful, emotional, and wistful configuration of candid interviews, archival materials, film clips, and a series of scenic tours, creating a symphony of cinematic memory where the past and present harmoniously meet.

Director Daniel Raim elegantly and lovingly weaves their stories into a composite whole without ever piling on nostalgia or taking a hagiographic approach. Instead, Something's Gonna Live is a film about celebrating life, resilience, creativity, the passage of time, and above all, the spirit of cinema.

In conclusion, Something's Gonna Live is an enlightening and contemplative documentary that uses the experiences and viewpoints of these six Hollywood maestros to create an inspiring ensemble on the art and life of cinema. Through its intimate, raw, and often profound conversations, the movie serves as an invaluable memoir for cinema enthusiasts around the globe, cementing their collective legacy in the annals of film history. With its soulful narrative and reverential approach, the movie defines a cinematic love letter to all those who continue to create and inspire within the world of films.