A Letter to Elia
A Letter To Elia works on many different levels. On one hand, it is a mini-masterclass on Kazan's work from a director of similar stature. On another, it is a perceptive character study. Scorsese is fascinated by Kazan's background as an Anatolian Greek whose family emigrated to the US and then fought for their stake there. But the film doesn't lumber us with many personal details. Scorsese's real focus is on the movies. It is his contention that "maybe you learn more from the work than the man". By studying Kazan's films (...) you discover far more than you might from interviews or biographies.
Geoffrey Macnab, The Independent
First and foremost, the pic plays like an illustrated essay brimming with ideas, rather than a straight biodoc. Apart from noting Kazan's immigrant background, Letter barely touches on his personal life. Laudably, it doesn't shy from covering the ugliness surrounding Kazan's naming of names to the House Un-American Activities Committee, which blighted the careers of nine people – the eight named, and Kazan's own, given his increasing vilification by colleagues thereafter.
Leslie Felperin, Variety
Duration: 60 min
Dialogue: English
Age limit: K7
