Life Itself
An intimate, moving portrait of Roger Ebert as a fearless critic, influential cultural voice, devoted husband, and resilient survivor of devastating illness.
Overview
A poignant exploration of a cultural icon's life and legacy, filled with humor and resilience.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- wistful
- funny
- painful
- cinephile gathering
- reflective evening
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the documentary as a deeply moving, insightful, and highly watchable portrait of Roger Ebert, while some found its treatment of his life underdeveloped.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ebert's reviews, television partnership, and public influence are presented as part of the broader role of film criticism in American culture.
The film follows Ebert's cancer treatment, disability, rehabilitation, and continued cultural work.
Chaz Ebert's presence illuminates the couple's marriage and her support during Roger's illness and disability.
The documentary reconstructs Ebert's life through his own appearances, interview subjects, voice narration, and film-industry footage.
Films like Life Itself, and why
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
celebrity biography documentary blending personal testimony, cultural impact, and emotional resilience
The Salt of the Earth
cinema-centered documentary portrait with strong archival material and an intimate, affectionate tone
Gleason
inspiring biographical documentary about a major cultural figure confronting illness and mortality
For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism
reflective film-industry documentary examining a critic's influence and the culture surrounding movies
Movie Details
- Director
- Steve James
- Release Date
- 2014-07-04
- Runtime
- 121 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (375)
Cast
- Stephen Stanton
- Roger Ebert
- Chaz Ebert
- Ramin Bahrani
- Richard Corliss
- Nancy De Los Santos
- Ava DuVernay
- Bruce Elliot
- Laura Emerick
- Emil Evans
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Life Itself about?
- An intimate, moving portrait of Roger Ebert as a fearless critic, influential cultural voice, devoted husband, and resilient survivor of devastating illness.
- What is Life Itself like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Life Itself as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Life Itself violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Life Itself.
- What did critics think of Life Itself?
- Critics broadly praised the documentary as a deeply moving, insightful, and highly watchable portrait of Roger Ebert, while some found its treatment of his life underdeveloped.
- Which films are like Life Itself?
- Films with a similar feel include Won't You Be My Neighbor?, The Salt of the Earth, Gleason, and For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism.
- How long is Life Itself?
- Life Itself runs 121 minutes.
- Where can I watch Life Itself?
- In United States, Life Itself streams on Philo, Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel.
