Made for PBS, this is a self-conscious attempt to understand the person behind Emily Dickinson's poetry. The directors use voice over commentary to explain how they come to make this movie and their dissatisfactions with their initial attempts. Trying to get historians, biographers, psychologists, off-the-wall academics, and eventually auditioning actresses who read Dickinson's lines and improvise on four trick questions, the directors get conflicting interpretations, but never present a convincing portrayal of the person.
Still, the poetry seems more accessible with several readings, especially when recited by Julie Harris.
Still, the poetry seems more accessible with several readings, especially when recited by Julie Harris.
