Page One: Inside the New York Times (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jennifer X

  
  I kind of saw this as a one-stop-shop advertisement to subscribe to the NYT paywall rather than any substantial docudrama. I learned more about what it was like to work for the Times in that fashion documentary, Bill Cunningham New York, than in this one. The movie's only saving… More
  I kind of saw this as a one-stop-shop advertisement to subscribe to the NYT paywall rather than any substantial docudrama. I learned more about what it was like to work for the Times in that fashion documentary, Bill Cunningham New York, than in this one. The movie's only saving grace (and it was a big one) is David Carr. He's the greatest.

• Matthew S

  
  Interesting behind-the-scenes moments over the past 12 months, scattered throughout the movie, help to demonstrate the included arguments from the New York Times (and other legacy news media) for its necessity to exist in this new age of blogs and twitter. It's effective, but the… More
  Interesting behind-the-scenes moments over the past 12 months, scattered throughout the movie, help to demonstrate the included arguments from the New York Times (and other legacy news media) for its necessity to exist in this new age of blogs and twitter. It's effective, but the movie could have been more efficient... it meanders.

• Tracy K

  
  A bit unfocused at times, but overall a very interesting look at the state of modern journalism and how it's being impacted by technological and sociological change - particularly the advent of social media. What I think one takes away from this movie is the realization that… More
  A bit unfocused at times, but overall a very interesting look at the state of modern journalism and how it's being impacted by technological and sociological change - particularly the advent of social media. What I think one takes away from this movie is the realization that while the platforms through which the news is delivered may be changing - as they have been for centuries - the human ingenuity, talent and intelligence behind responsible journalism will remain the key to its survival.

• Mark H

  
  Documentary on the changing face of journalism provides a behind the scenes look at the New York Times. That daily periodical has always been ONE of the most hallowed in journalism. Let's not forget The Wall Street Journal after all. That is clearly the opinion of director Andrew… More
  Documentary on the changing face of journalism provides a behind the scenes look at the New York Times. That daily periodical has always been ONE of the most hallowed in journalism. Let's not forget The Wall Street Journal after all. That is clearly the opinion of director Andrew Rossi. He was granted rare access to the New York Times newsroom for a year. This investigative report analyzes how the Internet and modern media has changed the print business and the way in which people get their news. There is a very real battle to stay relevant at the moment. Newspapers all across the U.S. are going bankrupt. I suppose one's enjoyment of Page One will rest on whether you even care if the New York Times survives or not. My feeling is, the paper deserves to exist if the public wants it to exist. Does it contribute a service that the people are willing to support? The paper must adapt to the modern world. But the documentary does the publication a disservice by treating it as a historical monument that must be supported because it's necessary for the good of society. I don't know if things have changed, but the New York Times was a business the last moment I checked, not a charity. That's not always obvious from Rossi's effort to convince us of its relevance. He does provide a window into the contemporary newspaper game and for that, it is entertaining. Still, there isn't enough to convince us of his point, even 88 minutes. Regardless, this feels more like a segment on 60 minutes than a feature film anyway.

• Jeff T

  
  An almost great documentary that isn't at all about what the title advertises. Maybe that's what keeps it from really scoring a homerun, I can't quite tell. It starts out to follow the Times Media Department, but as things get tumultuous in the newspaper business the… More
  An almost great documentary that isn't at all about what the title advertises. Maybe that's what keeps it from really scoring a homerun, I can't quite tell. It starts out to follow the Times Media Department, but as things get tumultuous in the newspaper business the film kind of loses its way. And gets interesting. What emerges is a two-tiered movie, either one of which would have been a great film, but together they don't quite meld. There's the fascinating portrait of gruff and smart reporter David Carr, a no-bullshit operator who is basically our guide. And then there's the story of the impending death of print journalism and how to keep the flame alive. But with the footage gathered, the thing isn't quite cohesive enough to make either movie completely compelling. However, there is a lot here that is fascinating, and not a single one of the men and women covered is anything less than interesting and some of them are much, much more than. All in all, I'm glad it exists; I just wish I could love it a little more.

• Walter M

  
  The insightful documentary "Page One: Inside The New York Times" makes a great case for the need for the continued existence of newspapers in providing news that the public needs, not wants, to hear, even as their survival has been increasingly endangered, with even the New… More
  The insightful documentary "Page One: Inside The New York Times" makes a great case for the need for the continued existence of newspapers in providing news that the public needs, not wants, to hear, even as their survival has been increasingly endangered, with even the New York Times resorting to layoffs.(That having been said, I do like their online plan to charge after a certain amount of articles have been read.) This is viewed through the eyes of the media department of the newspaper with the Wikileaks story being of central interest where they work around Julian Assange's agenda in writing their articles. Part of that involves a video of American soldiers opening fire with two versions, each one revealing a different story. The newspaper later publishes many of the leaked cables much to the White House's chagrin, but cautious as to sensitive information. As entertaining and analytical as they might be, blogs cannot compare in the information gathering department as they cannot afford to put people on the ground, either locally or internationally. Blogs also represent a singular point of view which works best if you agree with them.(The documentary also falls into this trap to a certain degree as it almost turns into the David Carr Show at times, although it should be admitted that he is quite a character with his own unique style of interviewing.) As imperfect as the New York Times is(I agree with the assessment that the Iraq War would have happened regardless of Judith Miller's articles), it is only as good as those people who make the editorial decisions on the newspaper to which the documentary is provided unqualified access to.

• Jay R

  
  Very well thought out and interesting documentary. If you're into news or are a journalist of any kind, you have to watch this movie.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings