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      The Pleasures of Being Out of Step

      Released Jun 25, 2014 1 hr. 27 min. Documentary List
      100% 16 Reviews Tomatometer 57% 100+ Ratings Audience Score Filmmaker David L. Lewis covers the life of Nat Hentoff, who began his writing career as a jazz columnist and editor and later branched out to cover social and political issues. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      scott f Nicely made documentary hits all the high points. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review walter m If you don't believe me when I tell you that Nat Hentoff is an interesting dude, then listen to what Lenny Bruce has to say in a clip from 1959. If you still don't believe either of us, then check out the documentary "The Pleasures of Being out of Step" which details Hentoff's decades long career as a jazz writer, not only as a critic but also as the writer of liner notes which also get explained here.(By the way, Hentoff was also a talking head in both Ken Burns' "Jazz" and Woody Allen's "Sweet and Lowdown.") He has also interviewed and befriended such notable figures as Lenny Bruce, Malcolm X and Bob Dylan, while also working the civil rights desk at the Village Voice. And that's where things could get quite a bit contentious for Hentoff, as while I could agree with him more often than not, sometimes his combative writing style could irk me at times. That, however, had little to do with his anti-abortion stand which came from some seriously twisted logic.(He thought that since one could discover a fetus' sexual orientation in the womb, then homophobes would chose to abort. However, these are the same kind of people who don't believe in science or abortion in the first place.) In any case, his manner in the documentary and in clips is rather reserved in contrast, especially in him not allowing to be baited by William F. Buckley. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (16) Critics Reviews
      Paul de Barros Seattle Times Director David L. Lewis presents a warm, informal portrait of this dynamic, white-bearded New Yorker. Rated: 3/4 Jul 24, 2014 Full Review Ronnie Scheib Variety Stooped at almost 90 but feisty and humor-filled as ever, Hentoff presides over a film rich in the sounds and occasional sights of legendary cultural figures, from Lenny Bruce and Malcolm X to Bob Dylan and Coleman Hawkins. Jul 11, 2014 Full Review Peter Rainer Christian Science Monitor Still going strong in his 80s, Hentoff has had one of the more variegated careers in American letters. Rated: B+ Jul 11, 2014 Full Review Charles Mudede The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Hentoff is also an American original, a consequence of his faith in the music made by some of the most oppressed members of this society. Sep 6, 2018 Full Review Pat Padua Spectrum Culture In music and in the political area, Hentoff walked to his own beat. Rated: 3/5 Aug 31, 2018 Full Review Neely Swanson Easy Reader (California) At last! A documentary with marvelous production values as well as a fascinating subject. Sep 16, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Filmmaker David L. Lewis covers the life of Nat Hentoff, who began his writing career as a jazz columnist and editor and later branched out to cover social and political issues.
      Director
      David L. Lewis
      Distributor
      First Run
      Production Co
      Wishing Well Productions
      Genre
      Documentary
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jun 25, 2014, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 10, 2016
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $12.5K