For the Love of Spock (2016)

3 Stars (out of 4)

Fascinating

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Adam Nimoy directed this basic, but very loving tribute to his father Leonard Nimoy, daring to get a little more personal and a little less reverential than an average Star Trek fan might have done. For the Love of Spock is a loving look back at the career of actor Leonard Nimoy, and specifically the impact of his Star Trek character Mr. Spock. It uses all the typical documentary techniques, including many clips from movies and TV, photos, advertising materials, interviews, speaking engagements, and recordings, as well as new interviews; the younger Nimoy began interviewing his father for this film before he died, so there's plenty of fresh material.

He began taking small acting jobs, when, in 1966, the role of a lifetime came along. As he became famous, he began working toward providing for his family, assuming that the end would eventually come. Work took him away from his family, however, and rifts appeared between him and his wife, daughter, and son. His career took many turns: he worked on the stage, wrote books, recorded music, directed movies, took photographs, and finally, returned to Spock in the 2009 Star Trek reboot; near that time, he also learned just how important his family was. He died in 2015, and left behind a legacy of love.

Some of this material is quite moving, including the way it charts the downs as well as the ups of their father-son relationship. But where the film really takes off is when the younger Nimoy's interviews become a little more unguarded and personal. Clearly, Leonard Nimoy affected these folks strongly, and the sting of his death was still fresh, so their words are truly heartfelt and passionate. In the end, Nimoy's longtime friend and co-star William Shanter describes him in one word: "love."