‘Introducing, Selma Blair’ review: The actor turns her MS diagnosis into a deeply personal documentary
It is an intense expertise, one whose focus is undeniably stirring however which leaves sure facets of Blair’s life and resume considerably underdeveloped.
“Now I simply need to assist different individuals really feel higher,” Blair explains, throughout an interview through which she at occasions has problem talking, wrestling together with her typically uncooperative limbs and looking for to take care of her younger son.
Marking the primary feature-length movie for director Rachel Fleit, the cameras comply with Blair as she undergoes stem-cell remedy, an strategy with promising outcomes however sometimes deadly penalties. It is a bruising course of that begins with chemotherapy, revealing the toll on Blair’s physique whereas she shares her fears and emotions of mortality by way of a mixture of humor and tears.
The considerably ironic side of the title is that the movie most likely ought to have devoted extra time to introducing its topic, together with the intriguing position she occupied as a self-proclaimed supporting actress, endeavoring to make Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Michelle Gellar look good in “Legally Blonde” and “Merciless Intentions,” respectively, earlier than serving as “Hellboy’s” pal. Just a few extra voices from that interval would have helped as nicely.
At its greatest the movie captures Blair’s appreciable braveness — together with her willingness to let the world share in her expertise — and her recognition that utilizing her profile to showcase that is perhaps probably the most useful contribution that she will be able to make for others dealing with such situations.
In that sense, “Introducing, Selma Blair” captures these newest chapters in her life, however in its construction shortchanges the complete breadth of her story.
“Introducing, Selma Blair” premieres in choose theaters on Oct. 15 and Oct. 21 on Discovery+.