‘Paul Goodman Changed My Life’ explores the life of a provocateur

Paul Goodman’s beliefs and writings are not as popularly known as they were in the middle of the 20th century. Relegated to the history books, the torchbearer for the “new left” has seen his niche fame dim several years after his death. But Paul Goodman Changed My Life, an interesting albeit incomplete documentary of the provocateur, breathes fire into the passion of this man who refused acceptance into traditional society.

Goodman’s anarchist ideas and influential books can make for some engaging conversation, and filmmaker Jonathan Lee has amassed an impressive team of talking heads to expound on the man’s legacy. From his wife to his children to his colleagues, a varied portrait is created. Some of his stalwart supporters continue to trumpet his liberating radicalism. Others, in much more subtle ways, speak about his perceived weaknesses, including being a distant father and having affairs with men outside his marriage. To present all of the voices, rather than a select few, gives the documentary a feeling of all-encompassing truth. Goodman was probably all of these things and none of these things, depending on the day.

The balance between his work and his personal life is not clearly defined in the film, and this proves to be quite frustrating. A lot of time is set aside on his sexual liaisons in New York City, his bold acts of protest and his relationship with his family, and very few minutes are given to his actual belief structure. We learn of his most influential work, Growing Up Absurd, but close examinations of other texts are missing from the film. Although we live in a current society where ideas and contemplation are pushed aside for scandal and bedroom details, it would have been nice to float back in time and learn more about Paul Goodman, the thinker.

Still, Lee understands that his subject is endlessly fascinating, and, for the most part, the documentary excels. Using archival photographs and TV appearances, we view Goodman through many lenses. Thankfully, the soup-to-nuts structure works well (it’s normally a death knell for bio films). We jump right into Goodman’s story, and then travel back to his childhood and eventually move forward to his death at the age of 60 in 1972.

One personality trait that the movie definitively conveys is Goodman’s sense of awareness and dedication to his message. He put on his smile in front of cameras and slipped in his radical statements almost deceptively. The segment on his planned overhaul for the New York City education system is an interesting example of idealism, backed by realistic practicality. His eventual distancing and frustration with the youth movement during the Vietnam War shows the evolution of an anarchist through the years. The man, once thought a provocateur, had been deemed a traditionalist, beholden to the older ways.

Paul Goodman Changed My Life definitely lives up to its title. After spending 89 minutes with people who speak so eloquently about his life, it becomes clear that this man’s work, although not as widely known as it used to be, continues to influence to this day.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Paul Goodman Changed My Life

• 2011

• Directed by Jonathan Lee

• Running time: 89 minutes

• Not Rated

• Rating: