Philip Roth Unmasked

Aired on PBS's American Masters series, filmmakers William Karel and Livia Manera's excellent documentary may skip over some of the more unsavory chapters in Philip Roth's life (including two miserable marriages), but for the most part offers a rich profile of the perennially controversial author who gained some notice in 1959 with his short story collection Goodbye, Columbus but went on to cause a huge stir (while also finding success and notoriety) with the publication of his 1969 novel Portnoy's Complaint. Raised in Newark to loving parents who expected him to be an attorney, Roth says his father was just domineering enough to drive young Philip away to write about his former home from a safe distance, just as James Joyce had written about his native Dublin at arm's length. A handful of friends from Roth's college years describe the author as being attractive to women and faintly dangerous, while Roth himself talks about personal difficulties in early adulthood that led him into psychoanalysis, which in turn gave him the confidence to write without self-censorship. Roth also speaks to many charges over the years that his work reveals him as a “self-hating Jew,” and that he is too focused on unabashed sexuality. Interviews with author Jonathan Franzen and actress Mia Farrow (Roth's longtime friend), among others, address other themes in the subject's life and work. Viewers also learn much about Roth's creative process, which includes writing from a standing position, sharing new manuscripts among a group of friends for trusted feedback, and using the recurring character Zuckerman as his own alter ego. DVD extras include extended interviews with Roth and readings by the author. Filmed before Roth shocked the literary world by announcing his retirement as a novelist, this fine portrait of one of the most acclaimed American writers of the past half-century is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)