The New Yorker at 100 Review: Netflix’s Celebration of the Magazine Is No More In Depth than a Birthday Tribute

by

The documentary seems to operate on the understanding that it will likely have a significant effect on those who watch it. Because it focuses on a highly intellectual magazine and is aimed at well-educated audiences, it’s unlikely to attract viewers who aren’t already interested in the subject. Therefore, the film is intentionally celebratory and admiring. Featuring enthusiastic interviews with well-known figures from the literary and media worlds, combined with plenty of historical footage, Marshall Curry’s Netflix documentary feels less like an objective examination and more like a celebratory tribute, designed to present its subject in the most positive light possible.

The film isn’t bad, but it doesn’t offer much depth. It’s primarily a celebratory piece created to mark the magazine’s 100th anniversary, alongside other events like a collection of classic stories and a film series at Film Forum, all connected to The New Yorker‘s past. It’s more of a tribute than a serious look at the magazine’s history.

The New Yorker at 100 is Thin on History, Long on Flattery

Curry’s documentary weaves between the upcoming 100th-anniversary issue of the magazine, set to publish in February 2025, and important moments from its past, narrated by Julianne Moore. Celebrities like Jon Hamm, Ronny Chieng, Sarah Jessica Parker, Nate Bargatze, Aparna Nancherla, Jesse Eisenberg, and Molly Ringwald all share their appreciation for the magazine. While they all look good doing so, most of their comments simply state how wonderful the magazine is.

Curry and the many writers, editors, and cartoonists interviewed convincingly demonstrate the enduring importance of The New Yorker. Though initially aimed at a refined, urban audience – not, as founder Harold Ross joked, readers from small towns – the magazine has become a globally recognized source of in-depth articles and famously quirky cartoons. Even its mascot, Eustice Tilly, a snobbish character with a top hat and monocle, was a knowing nod to the magazine’s self-aware, sophisticated tone.

The magazine continues to struggle with a reputation for being exclusive – a perception reinforced even by the deliberate use of the accent mark in its spelling, as dictated by its strict style guide. Despite this, its influence on both politics and society is undeniable. John Hersey’s extensive 1946 report on the impact of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima brought attention to the consequences of American power in a way that hadn’t been done before. Rachel Carson’s bestselling 1962 book, Silent Spring, played a key role in the passage of the Clean Water and Clean Air acts, effectively launching the modern environmental movement. Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood pioneered the true crime genre, which has since exploded in popularity with today’s podcasts and Netflix documentaries.

The film truly shines when it showcases the incredible attention to detail of the editorial team. It highlights their rigorous fact-checking – once famously compared to a thorough examination – and their meticulous copy editing, where every single word is carefully reviewed. The film also subtly reveals the staff’s diverse talents beyond writing; for example, one of the cartoon editors enjoys practicing Japanese calisthenics during breaks.

It’s tempting to romanticize history, but dealing with the present is more complicated. This film almost examines its own reporting practices. For example, several journalists discuss how to cover a 2024 Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, given its similarities to a 1939 Nazi rally held in the same location. However, instead of truly exploring these issues, they all ultimately agree that their magazine sets the standard for journalism.

It might be accurate, but it’s difficult to truly understand an institution’s importance if it doesn’t share complete information, only superficial details. The magazine maintains high journalistic standards and consistently features some of the world’s best writers. However, beyond that, there isn’t much substance to analyze. Regardless, the magazine will likely remain influential in both literary and progressive circles, however you define them.

Read More

2025-12-02 02:58