Roger Ebert documentary provides intimate look at 'Life Itself'

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The late film critic Roger Ebert spent his life reviewing movies. Now, he is the subject of one.

"Life Itself," a documentary about Ebert's life from beginning to end, premiered Thursday night.

In Ebert's final months, audiences see an emotional, honest and intimate look at the beloved film critic. He struggled to keep working despite medical challenges that took so much away from him.

The film is also very candid about the complicated, competitive relationship Ebert had with his TV partner, Gene Siskel.

"Roger prized honesty and candor and intimacy in the films that he loved, and especially in the documentaries that he loved," director Steve James said. "I think he understood that if he was going to do this, he had to be the same way."

"The gift that he gave to us is showing us not only how to live, but how to die with dignity and with grace and with humor," wife Chaz Ebert said.

Ebert's memoir, "Life Itself," is now a movie he didn't live to see. But his wife knows he's there in spirit.

"Roger always told me, 'I'm going to be sitting in the front row cheering you on.'" Chaz Ebert said. "So I asked to leave a chair for him. I mean, who knows?"

"Life Itself" opens on July 4.