REVIEW: ‘The Booksellers,’ now available to stream
Photo: The Booksellers is a new documentary from D.W. Young that looks at the antiquarian book business. Photo courtesy of Film Forum / Provided with permission.
D.W. Young’s 2019 documentary The Booksellers, which is now available to stream from Film Forum and Greenwich Entertainment, is a thoughtful dive into the world of antiquarian books. Many rare book dealers are profiled in the 99-minute documentary, and, as the world continually turns toward digital delivery, the future of this aging industry is considered and debated.
The fact that The Booksellers, a movie about holding a printed product in one’s hands, is now streaming virtually is almost ironic.
Young’s film centers around New York booksellers who display their wares in personal libraries, in the few remaining antiquarian bookshops in the Big Apple and at the annual antiquarian book fair at the Park Avenue Armory.
Throughout the film, there are no deep discussions about literature, authors, characterizations, themes and plot points. This movie is less about the art of writing and more about the art of the deal. The words of the literary greats remain on the sideline, whereas how their words fare in the market are the real focus.
The booksellers themselves are quite the characters. Most of them have wonderful senses of humor, and they understand the harsh realities of this shrinking hobby and niche profession. Fewer and fewer people are collecting books, but still, mega-sales do happen and a small bunch of sellers have survived the uncertain times.
The actual collections of these dealers are a marvel to behold. The libraries are artistic objects in their own right, displaying tome after tome, many of which have decorative bindings or original dust covers. They are museums of books and will instantly cause enthusiasts to start salivating at the mouth.
The conversations about the changing trends of the antiquarian trade are fascinating. At times, the buyers want first editions, while presently they are more interested in the complementary ephemera, like author letters. Intact dust jackets used to be key for a big sale, while larger, almost blueprint-like books eventually came into vogue.
The Booksellers dives into each and every nook and cranny of this library of enjoyments. Even if the discussions are relegated to money and collecting, one who loves literature can appreciate the touch and feel, the ins and outs of these classic books. There’s a real sense of that unmistakable smell of an aged book and that slight cracking of the binding. Just don’t crack that binding too much; that book may be worth millions, after all.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Booksellers (2019). Directed by D.W. Young. Running time: 99 minutes. Rating: 
Click here for more information on streaming.
