Review: Joyful 'Martha: A Picture Story' Soars on the Wings of an Exuberant, Trailblazing Artist

In one of the best sequences in "Martha: A Picture Story," trailblazing NYC photographer Martha Cooper says: "I'm not looking for things that are beautiful, I'm just looking for people that are making the best of what they have."

Luckily, the film feels the same way, as it trails Cooper without overextending to make certain everything looks picturesque. Not only is that welcome in the leagues of documentaries that try too hard to be cinematic, but it's also an approach that fits Cooper's work beautifully. This could have easily been a talking-heads doc that rolls on forever, yet all of the new and archival footage is edited together with clear direction that doesn't strip away the act of appreciating still art. Rather, it emboldens the act.

"Martha: A Picture Story" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Utopia Distribution, one of the partner labels under Vinegar Syndrome, with terrific audio and video. In addition, a couple of special features are also included that expand upon Cooper's essential work in covering street art. This is a great Blu-ray release of a film that rightfully deserves your attention. It's rare that documentaries of this nature get the red carpet treatment at home, but that's what this particular film has received from Utopia. Kudos to all involved.

Martha Cooper was, and still is, an incredible photographer who brought street art and graffiti to the forefront of the cultural conversation in New York in the 1970s. Decades later, her work has bolstered a movement of street art that flourishes today. The joy she exudes in capturing the painted subway cars, brick walls of city buildings, and other public formats is on display in full force in this documentary. Plus, the film elides talking heads with archival and present-day footage, all culminating in something that glides on that same joy Cooper brings to her art.

In addition to the documentary being overwhelmingly joyful, it also sports an 82-minute runtime that doesn't overstay its welcome. There's nothing preachy or pointed to be found here, just an appreciation of an art form from a filmmaking team that's able to convert that appreciation into an entertaining, enriching experience. I highly recommend you opt to watch the Martha Cooper studio tour special feature on this disc after watching the film, as it showcases Cooper as a master curator of her own work. This release comes highly recommended.

Other special features include:

� Os Gemeos extended interview
� Official trailer
� Closed captions
� Limited edition slipcover available at vinegarsyndrome.com

"Martha: A Picture Story" is now available on Blu-ray from Utopia Distribution.