Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You

2020

Documentary

Music

List

95%

37 Reviews

Tomatometer

67%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Read More

Read Less

Critics Consensus

Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You serves as a compelling companion piece to the album of the same name -- and a worthwhile behind-the-scenes documentary in its own right.

Read Critics Reviews

Audience Member

Springsteen is ageing; in recent years he has written his (excellent) memoir, and his music has become more ruminative in keeping with that project. This is on the face of it a fairly simple behind the scenes music documentary, with a few glimpses of craft and band dynamics and a handful of thoughts on each song from the album of the same name aa the film. It's elevated by the economic depth of Springsteen's insight and the beauty of his spoken commentaries and sung words. He is always worth listening to, a prophetic and pastoral voice who we're lucky to have. Long may he continue.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This film is a companion piece to Springsteen's new album, Letter to You. It is partly an extended music video that shows Springsteen and the E Street Band playing many of the songs on the album, but it also is a documentary in which Springsteen looks back on his life, his early influences, and the periods in his life that inspired his current work. I really enjoyed how the concept worked. The film is all shot in black and white, and some of the images are incredibly beautiful to look at. I love the almost poetic reflections that he narrates over old photos of his early years. And, of course, the music conveys a sense of wonder about growing older and at the same time reflects some of his older styles. I really loved the film and found myself thinking it would be nice if other artists did similar films as companions to their albums. It certainly adds to the depth and richness of the songs when you can experience what Springsteen is experiencing when he writes and sings them.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A must watch for E Street Nation & music fans everywhere

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Glorious. Joyful. Moving. Sad. Affirming. Inspiring. The legendary E Street Band.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/25/20

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Thom Zimny

Director

Bruce Springsteen

Actor

Roy Bittan

Actor

Nils Lofgren

Actor

Patti Scialfa

Actor

Garry Tallent

Actor

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

98%

94%

The Go-Go's

TRAILER

for The Go-Go's

73%

53%

69: The Saga of Danny Hernandez

TRAILER

for 69: The Saga of Danny Hernandez

90%

64%

We Are Freestyle Love Supreme

85%

%

Truth to Power

TRAILER

for Truth to Power

63%

%

Crestone

TRAILER

for Crestone

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Robert Levin

Newsday

This documentary is every bit as special as the album, Springsteen's best in years. It's joyful, it's magical and, yes, it's life affirming, too.

Rated: 4/4

Oct 26, 2020

Full Review

Glenn Whipp

Los Angeles Times

[W]hen Zimny lets the images speak for themselves, "Letter to You" achieves a moving power.

Oct 26, 2020

Full Review

Brad Wheeler

Globe and Mail

With too much salutation and not enough action, this is a (fine) companion to the album but not a freestanding film.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 24, 2020

Full Review

Leonie Cooper

NME (New Musical Express)

The Boss looks back at a career that's been filled with huge highs and devastating lows.

Rated: 4/5

May 18, 2021

Full Review

Leo Brady

AMovieGuy.com

It's obvious that Bruce Springsteen has been thinking a lot about living these days and he lays it all out on the table with Letter to You.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 29, 2021

Full Review

Al Alexander

The Patriot Ledger

A heartfelt missive set to muscle and brawn of songs baring Springsteen's soul and addressing his growing awareness that the best things in life are finite.

Rated: A-

Dec 6, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Director: Thom Zimny
Producer: Bruce Springsteen
Screenwriter: Bruce Springsteen
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 23, 2020