Is There One Who Understands Me?: The World of James Joyce (1983 TV Movie) User Reviews

Excellent biographical documentary

[poc-1 · 8/10 · 10 June 2003]

Anyone wishing to find an accessible introduction to Joyce and his works would do well to start with this feature length documentary about his life and works. Mixing beautifully filmed shots of present day Dublin and Paris with the turn of the century with the present day, it is interspersed with period music and is an artistic work in its own right. More importantly, it includes interviews with Joyce's relatives and Richard Ellman, the world's greatest Joycean scholar who have all since passed away. For this reason alone, it is unlikely to be surpassed. Sean O'Mordha who specialises in arts documentaries, produced and directed two "sequels" about the lives of Samuel Beckett (Silence to Silence, 1987) and Oscar Wilde (Spendthrift of Genius, 1988). His recent works include "Seven Ages, the Story of the Irish State" and "Portrait of the Irish Artist".