This is a portrait of Thomas Noguchi the medical examiner and coroner who maybe best known for having dealt with numerous high profile cases (hence the title) but who also broke through racial barriers.
This is a very good look at a man whose name most people know. Noguchi, was for his tenure as Los Angeles medical examiner, seemingly always around. If anyone died in LA he was on TV talking about it. The thing is, there was way more to the man then just press conferences and this film lets us know about that.
Covering all of Noguchi's 98 years the film tells the story from birth to now. It shows him growing up in Japan, coming to America, meeting his wife, getting a job in the LA coroners office and rising through the ranks. It shows how he his pursuit for the truth got him his job and ultimately got him in trouble (he didn't sugar coat findings when talking to the press.). It also shows how his breaking of the racial barrier (he was the first Asian in the office) allowed him to break other barriers.
I really liked this film a great deal. It's a well told tale of a man who is part of entertainment history. While it doesn't break any new ground it entertains and informs, which is enough.
Recommended.
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