The book (which I am about halfway through) and the movie are regarded by most people familiar with one or the other as excellent accounts of how a boy with a gritty childhood (unstable family, hillbilly background, drug-addicted mother) grew up to become a Yale Law grad, a U.S. Senator, and now a V.P. candidate.
BTW, the book isn't about events but is a child's very honest account of his life (as perceived by him). It's his story told from his POV. That's not the kind of thing someone else can dispute (even if they really hate the person telling the story).
>> Alex Haley gave lots of interviews too. Didn’t make it so. <<
It is indeed a "factual" retelling of his upbringing from HIS point of view.
I would say that puts the movie in the same category to how accurate "Mommy Dearest" is to the real life Joan Crawford. Faye Dunaway IS Joan Crawford... from her stepdaughter's point of view, anyway.
