Life Itself
Closed CaptioningSteve James
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Plot Summary
Same Day as Theaters. Acclaimed director Steve James (Hoop Dreams) along with executive producers Martin Scorsese (The Departed) and Steven Zaillian (Moneyball) present Life Itself, a film that recounts the inspiring, entertaining and colorful life of world-renowned film critic Roger Ebert--a story that is personal, funny, moving and transcendent. Based on his bestselling memoir of the same name, Life Itself explores Roger Ebert's legacy--his Pulitzer Prize-winning film criticism at the Chicago Sun-Times, his turn as screenwriter of Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls, his on and off screen relationship with Gene Siskel--all culminating in his ascension as one of the most influential cultural voices in America.
Credits
Director
Producers
Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews
TOMATOMETER
97%- Reviews Counted: 142
- Fresh: 138
- Rotten: 4
- Average Rating: 8.5/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Fresh: Deep currents of love and sorrow flow under the succession of often funny recollections of a busy life. But it is a wake where the departed is still present.
Fresh: Though Life Itself is a warts-and-all portrait Ebert didn't live to review, my guess is his thumbs would be shooting upward. Mine sure are.
Fresh: It's another mark of the director's skill that he took me deeper into aspects of that life that I thought I knew the most about.
Fresh: Ebert once described the cinema as "a machine that generates empathy." Watching James's lovely film, you know exactly what he means.
Customer Reviews
A must see.
I was lucky to catch this beautiful and inspiring film last month at the AFI doc film festival. I only knew a little bit about Roger Ebert when I saw it but his amazing story had way more depth than I'd imagined. And it's important to note that in addition to being moving, it's very, very funny and entertaining as well. One of the best documentaries I've seen in a long time.
Inspiring
A story of a true legend in the film industry. A must see for anyone who shares a passion for film.
Worth your time
This gave me so many more facets to a man I grew up watching rate the movies on Saturday morning. It was interesting, intimate, and well made. It made me wish so much that he was around longer to see differently. Worth the price of rental.
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