Terrific piece.
“I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn’t always know this, and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.
Ebert takes joy from the world in nearly all the ways he once did. He has had to find a new way to laugh — by closing his eyes and slapping both hands on his knees — but he still laughs. He and Chaz continue to travel. (They spent Thanksgiving in Barbados.) And he still finds joy in books, and in art, and in movies — a greater joy than he ever has. He gives more movies more stars.”
Ebert’s response to the article is here: http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010/02/roger_eberts_last_words_cont.html
As an aside, Ebert’s best films of the decade are here: http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/12/the_best_films_of_the_decade.html
I disagree with a couple of them and haven’t seen a few of them, but Chop Shop, Me and You and Everyone We Know, and The Hurt Locker in particular are brilliant.
