Water: Close Up and Very Personal

Aqua vitae: it literally means "water of life," and--prior to modern medicine--referred to brandy's restorative powers. Today, of course, we know that the true water of life is not brandy, but Coors (recall the important high school lesson: "it's the water, and a lot more"). Beyond being a vital ingredient in beer, water is rather important in other ways, and this latest entry in the Close Up and Very Personal series offers a non-narrated visual journey through water in its many forms, from absence thereof (dessert) to snow-covered peaks. Viewers will see lakes, rivers, waterfalls, storms, clouds, geysers, the ocean, rain, water recreational sports, fire hydrants, aquatic wildlife, and much more. Throughout, in what I found to be a nice, unifying touch, we also see people ladling fresh water into a clay pot--a reminder of water's intrinsic nature to the human enterprise: without water, life would not exist (and neither would beer). Water: Close Up and Very Personal pays homage to that fact in a manner pleasing to the eye, ear, and, ultimately, soul. This beautifully shot and scored (and inexpensive) program is strongly recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Pitman)