Reading Is Love is the second feature-length film from documentarian Amber Monet. Here she chronicles how two friends, who met playing college football, decide to give back to their community. The title of this documentary should be a giveaway as to exactly how they plan to do that: Brent Johnstone and Akeiff Staples vow to read to 30 daycares in 30 days.
The filmmaker doesn’t just examine how this initiative, organized under their nonprofit Fathers Read 360, affects the adults and children. No, she dives deep into Staples and Johnstone’s backstory to discover why reading means so much to them. Through interviews with the two subjects, as well as family members and others, their connection to reading and family is placed front and center.
“…Brent Johnstone and Akeiff Staples vow to read to 30 daycares in 30 days.”
For as slight as the narrative seems on the surface — there isn’t anything else going on aside from their lives and nonprofit mission — Reading Is Love generates a lot of emotion. The kids being read to are excited and engaged. Johnstone and Staples are energized by their mission and clearly love helping kids out. More importantly, they adore their families and try to be the father figures they wished they had growing up. It is all very emotional and engrossing.
Monet doesn’t present the most visually dynamic documentary in the world. But the editing more than makes up for the PBS-esque cinematography. There’s not a wasted scene or second throughout the swift-moving 72-minute runtime. Johnstone’s time with his family at a stable is a highlight, as it highlights his commitment to everything he does in his personal life. Hearing about Stalpes’s troubled history creates sympathy during a powerful moment discussing his sister.
Reading Is Love is narrowly focused but highly relatable. The emotions are raw and honest, and the mission of the subjects is noble. While the lack of flair in the presentation makes the documentary look pedestrian at best, the pacing and story more than make up for this. This is very likely to inspire family members to support their younger relatives and perhaps explore ways to contribute to their community at large.
For more information about Reading Is Love, visit Global Digital Releasing.
"…narrowly focused but highly relatable."
