CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER

DOC BRINGS BACK MEMORIES

Film review by Fiore

OVERALL:

Perhaps one must experience the trials and tribulations of creating with a typewriter to appreciate the inherent wisdom of CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER.  The documentary brings back memories of creativity and frustration that I must admit were quite realistic for someone who began his journalism career long before the iPhone and the laptop, back in 1973.

I remember pouring through bottles of white out, and crumpling myriad sheets of paper to complete a report or story. Due to the machinations of using a typewriter, folks were more inclined to think through their thoughts before committing them to paper. There were no knee-jerk comments thoughtlessly whipped out as occurs all too often in today’s digital media.

For better or for worse, CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER attempts to elevate the old machine to it’s once lofty position in the world of communication.

PLOT:

 

CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER begins with the store of the same name.  Located in Berkeley CA, the shop is still thriving since first opening in 1980.  Ken Alexander is the chief repairman at the store and has been working on typewriters for over three decades.  The film shows his dedication to the machine and his expertise in their reparations.

The film also interviews prominent people who are advocates of the typewriter and use it in everyday life.  These include Tom Hanks, Sam Sheppard and blues musician John Mayer.  Also included are Jeremy Mayer, who creates metal sculptures out of typewriter parts, Martin Howard and Richard Polt who are typewriter collectors, and Silvi Asivar who is a typewriter poet.

While most have fascinating tales, some are just too bizarre, diminishing the film’s nobility.

PARTICULARS:

Doug Nichol shot, directed and edited CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER. For the most part, he has constructed an intriguing trip down memory lane. Some of the stories told and the current uses of typewriters today are engaging.  Unfortunately, some of the participants use their screen time to talk about their personal thoughts on life, culture and ideologies.  It’s a stretch to tie these ramblings to the typewriter and they only serve to detract from an otherwise solid narrative.  There is even a band that creates music from pounding on old typewriters much like the cast of STOMP. However, this group is comprised of antifa members, brandishing “kill fascism” on their machines.

 REPORT CARD:

ACTING = C

CINEMATOGRAPHY = B

SOUND/MUSIC = C

EDITING = B

LIGHTING = C

SCRIPT = C

SFX =  C

ACTION = C

SUMMARY: 

For anyone who has ever struggled with a typewriter, especially when under a deadline, CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER will bring back memories, both happy and sad.  Nichol keeps the film moving, and save for the aforementioned scenes, makes the documentary worth watching.

It’s unfortunate Hollywood insists on instilling propaganda into any film listed as a documentary.  They do this ever since they opted, erroneously, to promote Michael Moore, as an exceptional documentary filmmaker, which he is not.

That said, if you can shut out the propaganda elements of this film, I think you’ll enjoy the story CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER tells.  What begins as a quest for revival, concludes with the acceptance of a classic.

REWATCHABLE INDEX: LOW