“Martha”: Stewart proves to be a difficult person to describe

WHAT IS IT ABOUT Prolific documentarian R.J. Cutler, whose past heroes were all people from Anna Wintour To Dick Cheneyturns the camera to another figure of great cultural significance in “March.”

The Great Neck native chronicles the life and times of Martha Stewart, from her childhood in Nutley, New Jersey to her years as a stockbroker, caterer, author and, finally, lifestyle maven extraordinaire.

Built around interviews with Stewart, who remains tight-lipped and circumspect when it comes to discussing some of the tougher moments, the film gives equal weight to the highs of her success and the lows that came with it, especially her five months in federal prison after being convicted of lying. on insider trading charges, among other charges.

MY WORD A fascinating person does not necessarily make a fascinating documentary story.

No one could question Stewart’s cultural influence during the decades spent promoting the idea that the good and beautiful life should be achievable for everyone, not just the wealthy few.

But it’s hard to profile her. Firstly, she tightly controls her image. She was seen repeatedly asking questions or trying to change the subject, both in Cutler’s interviews and in the material he included.

She delves into some of the trauma she experienced, but only to a certain extent, and we’re often forced to wonder if we’re seeing the real Martha or a carefully put together version for the camera.

At times, it seems like she’s in the documentary mainly to get even with people, including James Comey (yes, that James Comey), who prosecuted her when he was U.S. attorney in Manhattan.

Then there’s the fact that the scenes showcasing her superbly composed food spreads and home decorations, her household items and other products don’t quite make for a compelling movie.

Cutler gives a little push. He cites testimony from people who criticize her alleged temperament, and there is one grim moment, filmed shortly before her sentencing in 2004, in which she is seen taunting a co-worker over the size of the knife she was using to cut an orange.

The prison scene is the film’s strongest piece of pure filmmaking, captured as a montage of different days during the stay, narrated by Stewart in a diary of her experiences, and brought to life visually through vignettes.

But the rest of the story of “Martha” is told through a series of stills, rare snippets of old footage, and voice-over testimony from people familiar with the subject. Cutler rarely takes the film outside of this realm.

If you’re interested in the story, you’ll take something away from the film, but you won’t come away with more understanding.

Cutler calls Stewart the first “influencer,” the progenitor of an entire online generation today. And while this is undoubtedly true, or at least a defensible argument, the film does little to explain why this is actually important.

RESULT Martha Stewart is a very difficult subject, and the director never really mastered it.