FILM REVIEW

S.J. Cahn

While it may not go boldly where no one has gone before, “Mind Meld:

Secrets Behind the Voyage of a Lifetime” does offer a compelling glimpse

into one of television’s most famous duos: Star Trek’s Capt. Kirk and Mr.

Spock, also -- but not necessarily better -- known as William Shatner and

Leonard Nimoy.

In this breezy documentary, the two sit, mainly, in Nimoy’sbackyard

and go into remarkable depth about the early years of Star Trek, the

difficult transition to the first (awful) movie and the trials of their

aging years.

The most interesting insights revolve around Nimoy, obviously the

talented one of the pair, and obviously the one most burdened by being on

a cult show. The discussion about his battle with alcohol (which elicits

the most interesting comments from Shatner) strike as the most honest and

intriguing.

Still, much of it is information that any Trekee would almost

certainly know about, despite the promise of exclusive interviews. What’s

finally the reason to see this film is to decide for yourself if you

believe that, as both actors say often enough to be questionable, they

are good friends. Is the on-screen relationship the rapport of good

friends, or are they acting here (of course, but how much)?

It may not be the most logical reason to sit for 75 minutes, but it’s

better than sitting through the first Star Trek movie again (as both

Nimoy and Shatner will make clear).

* “Mind Meld: Secrets Behind the Voyage of a Lifetime” will play at 4

p.m. Sunday at the Lido Theater, 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach.