One Cut One Life 2014
Distributed by First Run Features, 630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036; 212-243-0600
Producer n/a
Directed by Lucia Small and Ed Pincus
DVD, color, 105 min.
General Adult
Health, Sociology
Date Entered: 04/15/2016
Reviewed by Kay Hogan Smith, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences“Did you exploit anybody?” Filmmaker Ed Pincus reflects on the essential question asked of all documentaries such as those he himself produced throughout his career. One Cut One Life is as much a documentary about filmmaking and especially documentary filmmaking as anything – and whatever noble goals inspire the film to be made, the potential for intrusiveness and yes, exploitation, is there as well. Certainly Ed’s wife of 50 years, Jane Pincus, while an accomplished artist and writer in her own right, objects to having the camera imposed into their lives, perhaps especially in the intimate era captured on film here which happens to be her husband’s final illness and death. She understands but resents how important the film is to Ed and his co-filmmaker, Lucia Small. There is an element of a subconscious love triangle just under the surface of the interactions between the three. Still, the love is obviously a part of it for all, and they face Ed’s gradual decline together with grace, honesty and courage. Interwoven are lovely scenes of the Vermont countryside, juxtaposed with hospital segments and New York City street scenes. The final product is a gentle examination of life, ambition, creativity, love and death.
This film would make for interesting viewing for health care workers involved in palliative care as well as film students. Recommended.