NR | 1h 55m | Documentary | 2024
Throughout “Something to Stand For,” Mr. Rowe clearly positions himself as an “Ira Glass” for NPR listeners. For Middle American non-elitist, non-NPR-listeners, Mr. Rowe is very much in the tradition of radio commentator Paul Harvey, whom he credits by name as an inspiration. Probably only older Gen X-er’s and baby boomers remember Harvey today. His primary outlets: broadcast network radio and a syndicated newspaper column, constitute “legacy media,” whose current internet presence is minimal. Yet, Mr. Rowe still finds potency in Harvey’s style of storytelling.
Much like Harvey, Mr. Rowe chronicles several lesser-known episodes in American history, often featuring celebrated figures whose identity he only reveals at the end. The effect is similar to O. Henry stories’ twist endings, except they’re edifying, not grimly humorous—and they are also always true.
The exceptions are war heroes like Jack Lucas (Sam A. Coleman), who ought to be a household name for his heroism at Iwo Jima. Regardless, Mr. Rowe’s explanation of how the Marine reached the fateful Pacific battle is quite an epic tale. Other branches of service are also represented, even including the Starfleet of “Star Trek,” but it would be spoiler-ish to explain how.
His narration accompanies dramatic reenactments. They’re in the style of History Channel’s two-part presidential profiles based on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book, “Leadership in Turbulent Times,” about Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. In this case, Mr. Rowe’s podcast-friendly voice is the only one heard throughout each tale. In his introduction, Mr. Rowe proudly announces his cast is entirely made up of Oklahomans, possibly supplemented with a few stray Texans. We might never know if they sound like the people they portray, but they all certainly look their parts.
In between historical vignettes, Mr. Rowe tours the Washington monuments, taking inspiration from their grandeur. Unfortunately, not everyone finds them so moving apparently, given his discussion with U.S. Parks Department personnel regarding graffiti removal procedures. Yet, it is exactly the decline in patriotism (not a “dirty word” for Mr. Rowe) that motivated him to make this film.
After watching “Something to Stand For,” many in the audience will be convinced there should be monuments dedicated John Hart (Samuel Whitten), Frank Lewis (Jay Hector), and Richard Stockton (Tom Newman). If you don’t already recognize their names, wait to see how Mr. Rowe unspools their intertwined stories.
Mr. Rowe breaks format slightly for one of the film’s best segments, perhaps because it is the most complex. In a similarly elliptical fashion, he explains how the combined heroism of Private William Williams (Oliver McClean), Daniel Wells (Zack Brooks), Henry McComas (Caden Smith), and Dr. William Beanes (Barry Barnhart) helped save the American cause during the War of 1812, despite being in very different fields of battle.
You can learn a lot from “Something to Stand For,” especially considering its uplifting perspective on American history, which is so out of fashion on many campuses. It also might inspire some viewers to search out Harvey’s radio clips online, which would probably please Mr. Rowe.
Throughout it all, Mr. Rowe, who built his broadcast career hosting reality TV shows that celebrated blue-collar work (sometimes at its most extreme) is comfortable and often quite charming on-camera. He obviously employs many of the techniques he learned while making his various series. The way he hosts “Something to Stand For” is not so different cinematically from the way Michael Moore’s presence dominates his films. Of course, Mr. Rowe’s intentions are radically different.
Regardless, his approach is highly watchable. Mr. Rowe’s on-screen persona is appealingly sincere and his assembled history is educational and often quite stirring. Based on his final-final closing remarks, Mr. Rowe clearly hopes to make a follow-up to “Something to Stand For.” Hopefully, he can, because it offers a fresh and entertaining perspective on our nation’s history. Highly recommended.
