Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists

About Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists

"Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists" is a 2018 American documentary film that focuses on the lives and careers of the legendary New York columnists, Jimmy Breslin, and Pete Hamill. The movie brilliantly captures their unique individualism, combining their century of reporting to present a panoramic view of the last 50 years of New York city history. It was directed by Steve McCarthy, Jonathan Alter, and John Block.

Making / Production

The film is a product of HBO Documentary Films. It was produced by Jonathan Alter, John Block, and Steve McCarthy who spent over six years gathering footage, interviews, and stories about the two columnists. The trio also directed the film. They sought to capture the real spirit, impact, and legacy of Breslin and Hamill's columns which continued to resonate with New Yorkers and the world at large.

Actors

• Jim Dwyer: The Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter plays himself in the documentary, offering commentary and context on the two journalists.
• Michael Daly: Another renowned journalist, Daly also plays himself, providing insights into the work of Breslin and Hamill.
• Pete Hamill and Jimmy Breslin: The central figures themselves who appear in various interviews and footage throughout the documentary, giving the audience rare glimpses into their inner thoughts and working processes.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The documentary includes a mix of original footage, archive materials, and interviews with colleagues and friends of Breslin and Hamill, thus providing a 360-degree view of their work and influence
• Breslin and Hamill are considered the laureates of New York's everyday life, with their columns for The Daily News, The New York Post, Newsday, and more becoming part of the city's cultural fabric.
• Through their fearless reporting, they helped to shape the national conversation on key issues such as Vietnam, feminism, and civil rights.

Awards

Although the documentary does not have any recorded awards, it has garnered praise from audiences and critics alike for its authentic portrayal of two pillars of journalism.

Quotes

• "We were in the battle together, trying to make words make sense." - Pete Hamill
• "He wrote solid paragraphs that had never been seen before in newspaper writing." - Jimmy Breslin on Hamill

Music, Soundtrack

The film features a background score which is suitably atmospheric and reflective, aptly complementing the scenes and narratives which unfold. Specific tracks are not listed as the documentary relies more on the dialogue and narrative to set the tone.