Watch Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am is a documentary film that explores the life, works and legacy of one of America's greatest writers, Toni Morrison. The film is a comprehensive and intimate portrait of an artist who has impacted American literature and culture in significant ways. Directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, the film features interviews with Morrison herself, as well as prominent figures in literature, politics, and entertainment, including Oprah Winfrey, Hilton Als, Angela Davis, Fran Lebowitz, and others.

The film is an eye-opening look into the life of Toni Morrison, who was born Chloe Ardelia Wofford in Lorain, Ohio. Morrison's father struggled for a job, and her mother left an abusive marriage to raise her four children on her own. Despite the odds, Morrison grew up to become a renowned author of 11 novels, including "Beloved," "Sula," and "Song of Solomon." Throughout her life, Morrison tackled themes of race, class, gender, and family in her work, and explored the complexities of the African-American experience in a way that was entirely unique.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its exploration of Morrison's background in academia. After earning a degree in English from Howard University, Morrison went on to work at Texas Southern University and then at Howard as a professor. It was during her time at Howard that Morrison started writing fiction, and she eventually became the first African American woman to be appointed to the Princeton University faculty in 1989. The film features interviews with colleagues and friends who describe her work as a teacher, and who outline the enormous contribution she made to academia.

Morrison's work as an editor at Random House is another significant part of the film, as it shows how she helped bring the work of African-American authors to the forefront of American literature. She is credited with publishing works by authors like Angela Davis, Gayl Jones, Toni Cade Bambara, and Muhammad Ali, among others. This section of the film is especially poignant because it shows Morrison's lifelong commitment to supporting other writers, and her belief in the importance of telling stories that had been largely overlooked by mainstream publishers.

Another theme that runs throughout the film is the idea of Morrison as a trailblazer. As an African-American woman writer, Morrison faced numerous challenges throughout her career, from publishing and public reception to academic gatekeeping. Yet, she refused to be silenced or discouraged, and her sheer talent and commitment allowed her to shape a literary canon that had previously excluded black voices. The film celebrates Morrison's courage and resilience in the face of adversity, and reminds viewers of the importance of representation and diversity in all areas of culture.

Overall, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am is a moving tribute to a remarkable woman and artist. The film is beautifully crafted, with striking archival footage, photographs, and interviews that shed light on Morrison's life and work. It offers a fascinating insight into the world of African-American literature, as well as the broader cultural and political context in which Morrison was writing. Most importantly, the film is a testament to the power and impact of storytelling, and to Morrison's unending ability to capture the truth and complexities of the human experience in her writing.

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 82.