Clifton Johnson At this film's outset, Ebert talks about movies being "machines for empathy," and this film was just that. It moved me, to tears and to laughter. James managed to capture the beauty of a well lived, even with only a couple months to work. There were so many little moments that were beautiful, and I think that's true for all of us.

Essa Rasheed For the first time in years, I found myself crying at artistry of a film, and I didn't know why. This documentary does not innovate in any way. It shows no exceptional mastery of any cinematic techniques. It does not do anything that hasn't been done before. In its most cynical extreme it can even be seen as the exploitation of a great man's death for financial gain.But I cried.Where this documentary shines through is its subject. Roger Ebert. A man whose mere passion cemented criticism as an art. A man whose love for film carried film to a new height, and permanently changed the industry. A man who lived life as much as he could live it, and in doing so inspired generations of artists- and will undoubtedly inspire countless more to come. There are few lives that have changed cinema, criticism, world culture as much as Roger Ebert. And the one way this film The one way in which this film is more than mediocre is that it celebrates the life of a titan. And when that titan is Roger Ebert- that's all you need.God bless you, Mr. Ebert. May you rest in piece

asc85 From what I read, it was important to Roger Ebert for the film to show how he looked at the very end. It is definitely difficult and uncomfortable to watch, but that is of course why Ebert insisted that it be included. The problem for me was that they just kept going back to it again and again, and after a certain point, it seemed gratuitous and unnecessary. Yes, it is tough to watch him like that, and I didn't need to be reminded of that throughout the entire movie (it is interspersed with a mostly linear story of Ebert's life and career).I thought the best moments were what was shown during the "Siskel and Ebert" years...maybe someone should make a documentary just about that! There are so many laudatory reviews on IMDb that I felt I should provide a different perspective. It was by no means terrible, but not at all deserving of all the hype it has received.

Chaedy Ritherdon There is something surreal about a film critic writing a review of a documentary about a film critic, but Roger Ebert was no ordinary critic.On the surface, Life Itself is a about a man who had an amazing influence on American filmmakers. Roger Ebert was one half of America's most famous film critic team: Gene Siskel and Robert Ebert. Ebert was the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize, and was also the first critic to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The film tells the story of how Ebert and Siskel came to work together, and the story of their relationship. It also tells the story of how Roger met his wife at the age of 50, and his candid approach to his battle with alcoholism.But this is also a film about cancer; living with it or supporting a partner who is battling with it. Roger wanted to be very transparent about his illness, and so he invited Director, Steve James, to his hospital room to speak candidly about his life; warts and all. James had directed several documentaries about characters in Chicago, Ebert and Siskel's home town, including Hoop Dreams, which Ebert named best film of 1994.Watching this film is not a comfortable experience. It's confronting to watch footage of a man who has been severely deformed by surgery, watching him getting hooked up to machines to give him sustenance because he can no longer eat nor drink the way he used to. However watching this film is also uplifting and inspiring as you witness the interactions of a man who remains jovial despite his physical condition. The viewer sees his determination to continue to sneak out to cinemas to see and critique films while he was in hospital and his desire to continue to communicate with the world. At the time this was filmed, Roger had to use his computer to "talk" to people, but the manner in which he would use his eyes and hand gestures to give life and meaning to a robotic voice is remarkable.Voice actor Stephen Stanton provides narration for excerpts sourced from Ebert's Autobiography, Life Itself (upon which this film is based), in a voice that mimics "young Roger Ebert". It includes interviews with film critics, filmmakers, friends, and footage of the rivalry and bitterness between Siskel and Ebert during the filming of their television shows. His wife, Chaz Ebert, honours us with some deeply personal stories, out of respect for Roger's desire to be open about his life.Life Itself was an official selection for the Sundance Film Festival and Cannes Classics, two film festivals he frequented and loved for many years when he was physically capable of attending them, and it is an example of how a documentary can touch you as deeply and emotionally as any drama can.If you love film theory and know who Roger Ebert is, or if you have no idea about who Roger Ebert is but enjoy a good story, this is a film for you. If you know someone battling with cancer, or if you want to watch a film that will resonate with you and change you forever, see this film.This review was published in The Northsider. Source: http://thenorthsider.com.au/life-itself/