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Little Richard: I Am Everything

Play trailer 2:09 Poster for Little Richard: I Am Everything Released Apr 11, 2023 1h 38m Documentary Music Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Little Richard: I Am Everything

Little Richard: I Am 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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Critics Reviews

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Christy Lemire FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Read all reviews
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Little Richard: I Am Everything

Little Richard: I Am Everything: Exclusive Movie Clip - True King Little Richard: I Am Everything: Exclusive Movie Clip - True King 1:18 View more videos
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Movie Info

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, Bungalow Media + Entertainment, Rolling Stone , CNN Films
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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