Fantasia Review – For the Love of Spock

Adam Nimoy, son of Leonard Nimoy, began directing a film about Spock, his father’s most revered character, just before the elder Nimoy’s death in 2015 at the age of 83. The film then expanded its scope to focus on Nimoy’s entire life, from his outsider upbringing as the son of poor Russian immigrants in Boston, to his role as the pointy-eared Vulcan in the original Star Trek series that would forever define him.

For the Love of Spock shows how deeply Nimoy’s logic-based character has impacted not only pop-culture, but also science at large, inspiring generations of future scientists and space explorers. The film also serves as a semi-chronological overview of Nimoy’s life and career, including his often-contentious relationship with Adam.

Growing up as the son of Spock presented a set of unique challenges, which only increased exponentially as Nimoy’s fame rose. Nimoy never turned down an opportunity, which led to endless TV and public appearances as Spock, leaving him away from his family for long periods of time. And while many saw Spock as a symbol of the 60’s counter-culture, Nimoy was relatively old-fashioned at heart, which created its own tensions as Adam began to grow his hair out and experiment with drugs (the senior Nimoy battled his own alcohol addiction for years).

Featuring interviews with his friends and family, and numerous members of the extended Star Trek universe, For the Love of Spock paints a picture of a determined, complicated man, and the beloved, selfless character that inspired the word to literally and figuratively reach for the stars.

For the Love of Spock screens Saturday, July 16 at 4:10 p.m. at Concordia’s Hall Theatre, as part of The Fantasia International Film Festival. Director Adam Nimoy will introduce the screening. For more information, visit fantasiafestival.com.