Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Derek DelGaudio's In & of Itself

Play trailer 2:07 Poster for Derek DelGaudio's In & of Itself 2020 1h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
DEREK DELGAUDIO’S IN & OF ITSELF is a new kind of lyric poem. It tells the story of a man fighting to see through the illusion of his own identity, only to discover that identity itself is an illusion. An intimate and powerful exploration of what it means to be and be seen, the film chronicles Derek DelGaudio’s attempt to answer one deceptively simple question, “Who am I?” His personal journey expands to a collective experience that forces us to confront the boundaries of our own identities.
Watch on Disney+ Stream Now

Where to Watch

Derek DelGaudio's In & of Itself

Derek DelGaudio's In & of Itself

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Grounded by Derek DelGaudio's steady hand, It & Of Itself is as awe-inspiring as it is intimate, crafting a singular viewing experience that transcends the stage.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (31) Critics Reviews
Angie Han Mashable In & Of Itself might be brave act of kindness, it might be cynical show of trickery, it might be both at once or something else altogether. Whatever else it is, it's completely fascinating. Jan 26, 2021 Full Review Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times The virtuoso applies an extraordinary personal touch to his highly focused hocus-pocus. Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 23, 2021 Full Review Linda Holmes NPR The place of magic in In & Of Itself is not to amaze for amazement's sake, although I was certainly stunned by some of what happened. It's that the unreal is used to create the super-real. Jan 22, 2021 Full Review Kate Robertson Stuff.co.nz It’s a part magic, part one-man show, part Tony Robbins-style self-discovery that has to be seen to truly be felt – and understood. Feb 12, 2022 Full Review Selina Lee In Review Online Forget flamboyant Las Vegas-style magic shows; DelGaudio is as understated as they come, readily mocking magic's razzle-dazzle stereotypes and clichés. Jun 5, 2021 Full Review Glenn Sumi NOW Toronto Magician Derek DelGaudio will hypnotize you with his unique brand of personal storytelling and jaw-dropping illusions. Rated: 4/5 Mar 9, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (98) audience reviews
Jonathan K I feel super conflicted about this one. Because on one hand, what was that? What just happened? The magic is absolutely nuts. I feel so mystified. But on the other hand, one can think of quite practical ways to accomplish these things via a lot of prep work and producers/behind-the-scenes people giving Derek a cheatsheet. The narrative structure and tone were also all over the place; sometimes it felt like it was trying to be funny, other times it seemed dead serious. I honestly couldn't tell if he was trying to be funny -- though I think sadly he was but the audience didn't pick up on it, which is in and of itself kind of funny -- or if was trying to be oh so poignant. Maybe a mix but it comes off as kind of insincere and manipulative. Which, I suppose the whole thing is about manipulation if you take a cynical view of it. He's manipulating people's emotions and experiences. Which is that magic? Maybe so. That said, the ending... even though he's probably "cheating", it's so poignant and touching. Suspending disbelief for just a minute and it's clear to see that there's some real humanity in there. I think most of my complaints about this revolve not around the likely practical techniques used to make magic seem magical, but that I don't think he is very likeable in whatever persona he's putting on for this. He seems to think it’s some super philosophical masterpiece, but honestly? It feels more like a disjointed collage of ideas. Still, I can’t help but be impressed by the trickery and how strong it finishes, even if does feel a little... icky. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/11/25 Full Review Audience Member Seriously people? Desperately lonely folks out there. You matter, you are more than your label and sorry you needed some cringey magician/mentalist to communicate that to you over 90 minutes of drawn out tricks (although impressive-more that please) and a boring, forced performance. Hugs Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/09/25 Full Review Kyle C I don't know how you could watch this and not be moved, it is unlike anything I have seen before. The start felt a little slow as i was trying to figure out what i was watching, but once it picks up a little...I still have no idea exactly what i saw. But it was truly wonderful and unique and powerful. I would have loved to see the performance live but i feel lucky to have seen it at all. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/24/24 Full Review Debra S This movie is hard to describe, except to say, just watch it. Suspend your disbelief and be prepared to be entertained, intrigued, and possibly transformed! I watched it twice and plan to watch it a third time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/19/23 Full Review Suzy G Watched it twice, long enough in between to forget the specifics. Moved me to tears both times. The kind of movie I wish to tell everyone about so that we can talk about it. It's different, it's moving, and it's so powerful to me that I had to remind myself of how many times he performed it. The emotion comes off as so real, though I can't understand how it could be. But maybe that's his true gift. To move the first person and the thousandth person into a melancholy like emotion, to make each person feel special equally. And maybe that's the greatest gift of all. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/04/23 Full Review Pam O Amazing. Will watch more than once. Moving and inspiring, and the magic is great. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Derek DelGaudio's In & of Itself

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

'Twas the Fight Before Christmas 100% 50% 'Twas the Fight Before Christmas Watchlist Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street 95% 96% Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street Watchlist TRAILER for Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street Rudy! A Documusical 20% % Rudy! A Documusical Watchlist Boys State 95% 91% Boys State Watchlist TRAILER for Boys State A Peloton of One 100% % A Peloton of One Watchlist TRAILER for A Peloton of One Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis DEREK DELGAUDIO’S IN & OF ITSELF is a new kind of lyric poem. It tells the story of a man fighting to see through the illusion of his own identity, only to discover that identity itself is an illusion. An intimate and powerful exploration of what it means to be and be seen, the film chronicles Derek DelGaudio’s attempt to answer one deceptively simple question, “Who am I?” His personal journey expands to a collective experience that forces us to confront the boundaries of our own identities.
Director
Frank Oz
Producer
Jake Friedman, Glenn Kaino, Vanessa Lauren
Screenwriter
Derek DelGaudio
Production Co
SinForma, Walter Pictures
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 22, 2021
Runtime
1h 30m
Most Popular at Home Now