What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael (2019)

In the heart of the film world's golden age, a maverick voice emerges from the shadows - Pauline Kael, a film critic whose audacious opinions would forever change the landscape of American culture. "What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael" (2019) delves deep into the extraordinary life and influential career of Kael, the fearless critic for the New Yorker magazine from the 1970s until the early 1990s. This intimate portrait, woven from a rich tapestry of interviews, both contemporary and archival, including Kael herself, and punctuated with clips from the films she critiqued, illuminates not just Kael's criticism, but also her indomitable spirit. Unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom, Kael championed films and filmmakers who dared to be different, her words often giving them the recognition they might have otherwise lacked. She savored the new, the fresh, the bold, and wasn't hesitant to appreciate the entertaining value in what was traditionally dismissed as "trash". Kael's distinctive voice was not born from a pursuit of film criticism, but a profound love for the art, fueled by stubborn determination, boundless confidence, and a relentless dedication to her craft. Her reviews were far more than mere assessments of films; they were lively narratives interwoven with her own experiences and perspectives, transforming film criticism into an art form all its own. The film also candidly explores Kael's struggles, from her ongoing fight for recognition to her efforts to supplement her income through speaking engagements, writing books, and more. It offers a glimpse into the world of 20th-century cinema through Kael's discerning eye, and mirrors her life through the cinematic moments she so passionately critiqued. With unprecedented access to Kael's personal archives, her only child Gina James, friends, colleagues, and over 30 new interviews from film industry luminaries like Quentin Tarantino, Alec Baldwin, and Sarah Jessica Parker – who breathes life into Kael's writings and letters - "What She Said" is an enthralling exploration of a woman whose words wielded the power to shape an industry and the timeless art of film criticism.

What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael is a documentary movie featuring Quentin Tarantino and directed by Rob Garver.

What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Plex, Plex Player, Tubi TV and VUDU Free and it's also available on DIRECTV, Fandor Amazon Channel and FlixFling.

It is also possible to buy What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael on Amazon Video, Apple TV, FlixFling, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.