Little Richard: I Am Everything

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2:09

Little Richard: I Am Everything

2023

1h 38m

Documentary

Music

Biography

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Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

101 Reviews

98%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock n' roll, exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator -- the originator -- Richard Penniman. Through a wealth of archive and performance that brings us into Richard's complicated inner world, the film unspools the icon's life story with all its switchbacks and contradictions. In interviews with family, musicians, and cutting-edge Black and queer scholars, the film reveals how Richard created an art form for ultimate self-expression, yet what he gave to the world he was never able to give to himself. Throughout his life, Richard careened like a shiny cracked pinball between God, sex and rock n' roll. The world tried to put him in a box, but Richard was an omni being who contained multitudes -- he was unabashedly everything.

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Critics Consensus

Woooo! An engaging tribute to the rock pioneer, Little Richard: I Am Everything should shut up anyone who doubts the title's veracity.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

It's so cool and so fun. He is such a charismatic and fascinating figure.

May 17, 2023

Full Review

Tara Brady

Irish Times

There’s too much life, unpredictability and jubilation for Little Richard: I Am Everything to dwell on lost years and opportunities.

Rated: 4/5

May 12, 2023

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Does an impressive job of reminding us how much generations of rock stars, from Tom Jones to Mick Jagger, Elton John and Prince, have owed to Little Richard, and how radical his presence was in a world not yet ready to pay for his talent.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 30, 2023

Full Review

Stephen A. Russell

Orion's Shoulder (Substack)

A charismatically captivating conundrum.

Nov 12, 2024

Full Review

Daniel Allen

Loud and Clear Reviews

Little Richard: I Am Everything is a scattershot but fairly interesting music documentary about one of the most dynamic, spirited men in rock and roll history.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 25, 2024

Full Review

Rosalie Kicks

MovieJawn

It was interesting to learn more about this iconic figure… so much I didn’t know.

Rated: 3.25/4

Jun 19, 2024

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Wayne Isaak

What a terrific tour de force of the history of R&R and American/World culture through the life and times of the true father of the music! Lisa Cortez brought craft and stars to this excellent doc: the Beatles, Elvis, Sister Rosetta, Bo Diddley, etc.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/09/23

Full Review

Renee J

Absolutely amazing!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/24/23

Full Review

Jezrabelle

Amazing doc, filled with wonderful music and insight into the true origins of rock and roll.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/23/23

Full Review

AD

Great footage of him in stage and great interviews

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/22/23

Full Review

Dee Myers

It was ABSOLUTELY AUHHHHMAZING!!! He truly was everything.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/23

Full Review

Tom L

This was an awesome documentary! I learned so many things that I didnt know about Little Richard.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/23

Full Review

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Lisa Cortes

Director

Tom Jones

Self

Mick Jagger

Self

Paul McCartney

Self

Little Richard

Self

Lisa Cortes

Producer

Little Richard: I Am Everything: Exclusive Movie Clip - True King

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Little Richard: I Am Everything: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock n' roll, exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator -- the originator -- Richard Penniman. Through a wealth of archive and performance that brings us into Richard's complicated inner world, the film unspools the icon's life story with all its switchbacks and contradictions. In interviews with family, musicians, and cutting-edge Black and queer scholars, the film reveals how Richard created an art form for ultimate self-expression, yet what he gave to the world he was never able to give to himself. Throughout his life, Richard careened like a shiny cracked pinball between God, sex and rock n' roll. The world tried to put him in a box, but Richard was an omni being who contained multitudes -- he was unabashedly everything.

Director: Lisa Cortes
Producer: Lisa Cortes, Robert Friedman, Liz Yale Marsh, Caryn Capotosto
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: In The Air, CNN Films, Bungalow Media + Entertainment, Rolling Stone
Genre: Documentary, Music, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 11, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 21, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA): $130.9K
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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