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Obit is a 2016 documentary film that explores the lives and works of obituary writers at The New York Times. Directed and narrated by Vanessa Gould, the movie shows how these writers capture the essence of a person's life in just a few words. The film starts on an introspective note, as the writers discuss their initial hesitation towards taking up the job of writing obituaries. They see it as a morbid task and wonder how they could possibly do justice to someone's life in such a short piece. However, as the movie progresses, we see them falling in love with their work and taking a great sense of pride in it.

One of the film's central characters is Bruce Weber, who has been writing obituaries for over 25 years. He describes his job as "an archaeologist of memory," as he delves deep into a person's life to uncover their stories. He shares his experiences of writing obituaries for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Katharine Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor. He also introduces us to his own process of writing an obituary, which involves talking to the deceased person's family and friends and immersing himself in their life.

Another interesting character in the film is William McDonald, who is the editor of obituaries at The New York Times. We see him working with the writers, discussing the nuances of language and how to make an obituary more meaningful. He is also worried about the lack of diversity in the obituaries, which tend to focus on white men in positions of power. He acknowledges that the Times has made some progress in this regard but feels that there is still a long way to go.

The movie also features Margalit Fox, another obituary writer who brings a unique perspective to the job. She is a trained violinist and linguist, which gives her a keen sense of language and rhythm. She talks about how she tries to capture the essence of a person's life through their own words and quotes from their writing.

Apart from these three writers, the movie also features a few other obituary writers at The New York Times. We see glimpses of their day-to-day work, their interactions with the subjects of the obituary, and how they deal with the pressure of writing about someone who has just passed away.

What makes Obit fascinating is the way it brings out the humanity and empathy of these writers. They are not just churning out facts or trying to be objective, but are deeply invested in telling a person's story in a way that captures their essence. They celebrate the lives of people who have made a difference, no matter how small or significant. They also show a deep appreciation for the ephemeral nature of life and how the act of writing about someone who has passed away can be therapeutic for both the writer and the subject.

The movie is also visually striking, with beautiful shots of the New York Times building and the various writers' workspaces. There are also some poignant moments, such as when the writers reflect on their own mortality or when they talk about their favorite obituaries.

Overall, Obit is a touching and thought-provoking tribute to the art of writing obituaries. It shows how something as seemingly mundane as an obituary can be a powerful way to honor someone's life and legacy. It also reminds us of our own mortality and the importance of cherishing the time we have.

Obit is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 72.