Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was by all accounts alive when I wrote this review a few days ago, but I had to check anyhow, because a long and boundlessly approving HBO documentary, “John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls” (premiering Monday), all but assumes the former-POW-turned-elder-statesman has gone on to his greater glory. [‘We wanted John to see while he still could’: Inside the making of the McCain documentary]At age 81, and with a cancer diagnosis, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is looking back on his life with immense gratitude. It’s not fair.”There’s a lot of talk like this near the end of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” — pre-grieving along with an awkward mix of verb tenses. It’s an altogether new form of tribute: Having one’s last word while being able to hear the things everyone will say when you’re really gone. John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls (105 minutes) premieres Monday at 8 p.m. on HBO.

Source: Washington Post May 27, 2018 13:00 UTC