I Am: Celine Dion (2024) | agoodmovietowatch

Rated 7+ IMDb · 70%+ RT Little-known finds Curated by humans

I Am: Celine Dion 7.6 2024 Movie

I Am: Celine Dion

Dir. Irene Taylor · Canada, United States of America · English, French

An incredibly raw and inspiring portrait of the music icon

Our take by Renee Cuisia

Celebrities are often described as being “vulnerable” in documentaries, but it’s never been more fitting in this case. Here, Celine Dion opens up about her near-paralyzing illness, which affects her vocal cords and muscles and consequently prohibits her from performing on stage. We see clips of the star having spasms and breakdowns as she tries and fails and tries again to get her voice back. More than just a simple biography of what Dion has achieved, which we already know is massive, the film is largely about the doubt that creeps in and threatens to rock your sense of self, and the strength of the human spirit to persevere despite all that. The film is bracingly, unflinchingly raw, but it’s never exploitative, thanks partly to director Irene Taylor’s gentle direction and to Dion’s unwavering resilience.

What happens

A raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at the iconic superstar's struggle with a life-altering illness. Serving as a love letter to her fans, this inspirational documentary highlights the music that has guided her life while also showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.

What the critics said

Notable Critics

"The film lands somewhere between hand-holding fan service and brutal portrait of chronic illness."

— Madeline Leung Coleman

"Eschewing talking heads for a portrait in which Dion insisted she do all the talking herself, this is a rare nonfiction chronicle of an artist that also avoids hagiography."

— Ryan Lattanzio

More about it

What happens

After being diagnosed with a rare disease, pop star Celine Dion opens up for the first time about her pain, fears, and hopes in this intimate and revealing documentary.

What sets it apart

As Dion says at one point in the film, it’s all about her. She’s the standout—her soaring voice, her open heart, her passion for music, and her unwavering determination. Also, she’s funny as heck! Dion fully deserves her icon status.

TL;DR

She may be a mega-rich popstar with butlers and warehouse closets, but Dion is surprisingly relatable as a woman struggling to regain control and purpose after a painful diagnosis.

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About the author

Renee Cuisia

Renee Cuisia

Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.