Educational Media Reviews Online

This documentary appropriately starts with an interview about jazz, done in 1959. Nat Hentoff, author of books and articles, critic, producer, and go-to expert on a number of subjects, shines as the subject in this feature. Music, especially jazz, permeates this film as it does his life, as he wrote for Down Beat and The Jazz Review, produced records, and wrote liner notes for albums. Many of the jazz greats appear in this documentary in stills and film, in interviews and performances: Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, and more.

While Andre Braugher narrates, much of the film features Hentoff himself talking to the camera or shots of him working, plus older film of him ranging from a few years to many years ago. In addition, others face the camera to talk about him, including jazz critics, record company executives, editors, journalists, musicians, academics, his wife, and his sister. Some of these people have disagreed with him, sometimes vehemently, and this provides a fuller picture of the man and his views.

The historical value of this film is enhanced by the many clips of performers, interviews, and appearances, as well as shots of newspapers and magazines, all of which give the date, a very handy addition to keep the times in perspective. Several of his interviews are included, notably with Bob Dylan and Eldridge Cleaver. What a delight to see him holding his own with William F. Buckley, talking to Lenny Bruce, and hearing some of his articles or liner notes narrated. The editing of this film is first-rate, making appropriate segues between visuals.

Hentoff’s interest in and defense of the First Amendment takes a large portion of the film, too. His writing for the Village Voice and how he came to this career influenced by his boyhood in Boston and his work on the student newspaper at Northeastern University is interspersed between other subjects.

The film tackles his strong pro-life stance and where it originated, as well as his wife’s take on the issue and that of his former editor at Village Voice. Sound and visuals are well done. Jazz music is the background – and very much in the foreground – of this documentary.

This reviewer had the chance to hear Hentoff speak about 30 years ago, and the man’s eloquence and presence is captured wonderfully in this film.

The Pleasures of Being Out of Step would be an excellent discussion piece in college classes in journalism, law, or music. It would also make a good addition to public libraries as older teens and adults who are either familiar or unfamiliar with Nat Hentoff can get to know him better.