Having read Gore Vidal’s autobiography, I was skeptical about capturing such a long, multi-faceted and fascinating story in an 89 minute documentary. But that is exactly what director Nicholas Wrathall manages to do. In addition to getting every aspect of the epic life on film, Wrathall gives a generous dose of Mr. Vidal’s famous wit.
In fact, it would not be wrong to describe “Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia” as a comedy. Although Gore Vidal is one of the most respected and prolific American writers, it is his ability to get to the truth of any subject or person with a one-liner that hits its target like an arrow at high velocity. In a way, it unfortunate that Vidal will not be remembered as much for his tremendous work interpreting American history, in tremendous novels such as Burr and Lincoln. It will not be as much for his ground breaking works on homosexuality and alternative lifestyles, such as “The City and the Pillar” and “Myra Breckinridge” (made into an intentionally campy, but unintentionally hilarious movie starring Raquel Welch). For all this, he would have deserved a Nobel Prize. Like Oscar Wilde, Gore Vidal will instead be remembered for his caustic wit, often directed at rivals such as William F. Buckley and Norman Mailer.
Unlike Wilde, Vidal leaves behind a trail of film clips that will outlive him and outlive his more important work. It is this source of recorded hilarious sarcasm and biting remarks that Mr. Wrathall’s film taps into and uses to keep the story flowing and entertaining, to our delight. Surprisingly, the film is visually stunning. From sepia toned photographs of Vidal’s early life and tragic first love, to magnificent views of his Italian villa on the Amalfi Coast, there are enviable and breathtaking shots.
Oddly missing from this film is any of the juicy gossip about his relationship with Jacqueline Bouvier, who was his step sister by marriage. Vidal’s friendship and opinion of JFK is touched on, but the film does not go into the family relationship, other than to mention his and Jackie’s mutual stepfather, Hugh D. Auchincloss. Nor is it mentioned that Vidal was once physically thrown out of the White House. But all of those are minor details. The essence of Gore Vidal has been captured, thanks to the ubiquitous camera and numerous appearances on talk shows like Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett.
The title of the documentary comes from Gore Vidal’s assertion that, in our political judgments, Americans tend to be very forgetful. I’m afraid the word “amnesia” may also apply to his more serious and profound work. However, there are certain Vidal truthful statements that have been recorded and will live on forever. And we are grateful for that.
No matter how you may feel about Gore Vidal’s politics or philosophy, you cannot help but wish you had known him. If you shared his philosophy, it is a life you wish you had lived.
