Life Itself

This film should help almost anybody appreciate their life and the contributions of others more. We humans so easily get our priorities out of whack and forget what's really important. This movie may help the viewer get their priorities back in order and see what really is important in life. I laughed and cried. This is a wonderful movie.

Only those who fancy themselves film critics would want to see it, and would praise it no matter how bad it is. And it's abysmal.

I can safely say that “Life Itself”, the new feature film detailing Roger Ebert’s life, is one of the most touching and brave documentaries I’ve ever seen. It’s the kind of movie that isn’t afraid to portray a man flaws-and-all, and also isn’t afraid to be honest and true. It’s a work of art that’s drenched in love and celebrates something that Ebert loved to death, movies. But even beyond that, the film sets out to discover the man behind the icon. Not necessarily the controversial reviews he wrote (though they do touch on that), but more about his unequaled love for his family and his impact on everyone he met. From Martin Scorsese and other famous filmmakers to his close friends and colleagues, we hear intimate and fascinating stories that turn a figure into a tangible, relatable human being. Candidly showing his difficult bout with cancer and losing the ability to speak in 2006 (and also how he continued writing long after), it’s endlessly heartfelt and successful in bringing the audience close to a man that few knew well. Director Steve James, who most may know for his epic documentary “Hoop Dreams” which was nominated for an Oscar back in ’94, proves that he can step outside of his normal filmmaking style and focus on a more biographical story. With beautiful cinematography and a wonderful abundance of clips from "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies”, “Life Itself” is a loving and important documentary that I relished from beginning to end. Not only is it one of the best films of the year, it’s one that will stand the test of time and will be talked about decades from now.

So touching. Watch it and try not to weep. We dare you.

Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla. That is all he ever said and all his remembrance is worth.

I thought the “scores” were high because we had so much affection for Roger, but the movie was better than I could have hoped.

I followed Siskel and Ebert for many years and found this to be an extremely thoughtful way for Roger to document his life. Since I’ve worked with Hospice for 23 years, I was inspired to see the smile on his face at ALL times, though a lesser person might not have been so eager to be seen. He made life seem worth living ‘no matter what’ and his talent and acceptance of who he was. He never gave up and worked very hard. Since I lived in Chicago in my younger years, it’s great to see that city again.

>thought this was a Stephen Hawking movie >it wasn't >disappointed.jpg >turned out to be ok >three star rating

Watching Life Itself was, at times, difficult - it's hard to see someone I practically considered family (granted, a member I never met!) suffering. But what a wonderful life he had and what an inspiration he was. Not always the nicest person when he was younger, but his life experiences and the people around him - including most particularly Gene Siskel and Chaz Ebert - made him the thoughtful, open, and impressive human being I came to appreciate through his writing. Very well done documentary.