The atmosphere in D.W. Young’s documentary – which, as the title would suggest, is interested in people who rate books – is Hal Ashby-esque.
Americans – mostly New Yorkers – addicted to the smell and feel of old books explain why this is the best and worst of times for bibliophiles. There may be fewer used-book stores around, but the rise and rise of the internet has created new (and more diverse) objects of desire.
Collector Fran Lebowitz brims over with vitality, as do Judith, Naomi and Adina Cohen, who inherited the Argosy Book Store from their dad, and dealer Rebecca Romney, a favourite on reality-TV series, Pawn Stars.
Indifferent to the siren call of computer screens, these characters really do stand out from the crowd.
On digital platforms from 29 June
