So often, documentaries are praised because they bring interesting information to light, not because of the director’s craft or production values. The documentary combines interviews with archival footage, mixing objective facts with subjective opinions. Viewers leave the theatre believing that they have been totally informed about the latest crisis which is about to erupt when in fact they were only shown highlights of one side of the issue. The works can still be a productive use of two hours but one must keep their critical thinking filters on at all times.
At first glance, Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer appears to be relatively fair with a slight Democratic tilt. The story covers Eliot Spitzer’s career in New York politics, beginning with his days as state Attorney General and “Sheriff of Wall Street” until his ignominious resignation as Governor after a prostitution scandal. Spitzer provided excellent access and seemed frank and introspective during his lengthy interview. Opponents were also interviewed although the film left viewers with the impression that they were cautious and guarded. Out of all the interview subjects, it’s possible that the call girls who spoke on camera were the most thoughtful and sensible individuals of them all.
Spitzer is a figure who deserves more credit for his work on Wall Street from 1998 to 2006. Unfortunately, politics dictates that he will never receive it. As a prosecutor, he targeted outlandish executive compensation, derivatives of questionable merit, inflated stock prices, and commissions in the finance and insurance businesses — all of which were partially responsible for the massive economic crisis in 2007. In fact, because his personal values were discredited, some of Spitzer’s work has been questioned and the regulation he sought rolled back. So many people saw what was happening and spoke out but because they were not part of the Wall Street or Federal Treasury elite, their views were ignored.
Yet, there is a reason that Spitzer is a commentator on CNN instead of possible presidential candidate in 2016. Politics is a blood sport. Spitzer ruffled a lot of feathers on Wall Street and in Albany and when he slipped up by participating in a New York City escort service, his opponents were unwilling to let him up. It may have been unfair, considering how other prostitution cases were handled but he reaped what he had sowed. He was an aggressive prosecutor and an abrasive politician. It no longer mattered whether he was right or not because both insiders and the media had tired of him.
To Spitzer’s credit, he admits his mistakes on camera and acknowledges how he could have acted differently. By interviewing friends and foes, director Alex Gibney tries to paint as complete a picture of a decade in his life. Does anyone live life without making mistakes? Probably Not. Has the justice system become totally politicized? Probably. However, Spitzer understands that there is nothing he can do about any perceived unfairness in his case and looks to the future, not the past. ***