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The World According to Allee Willis

Play trailer Poster for The World According to Allee Willis Released Nov 15 1h 37m Documentary Biography Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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Take one look at award-winning songwriter / artist Allee Willis and you see someone unafraid to be themselves. Dressed in a cacophony of prints and colors, her signature asymmetrical haircut and famed parties at her real-life Pee-Wee's Playhouse, Allee didn't waste any opportunity to tell you what she was about. But privately, Allee struggled with not fitting established gender and sexual norms. She buried herself in her work, until true love manifested her ultimate masterpiece -- self-acceptance. Allee began filming her life in 1950s Detroit and never stopped. This film is the realization of her wish that her "final art piece be someone putting together the trail I have left behind."
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The World According to Allee Willis

Critics Reviews

View All (15) Critics Reviews
Marya E. Gates RogerEbert.com This is one of the few celebrity docs I’ve seen in the last few years that is just as interesting as the subject itself, and made me wish we did live in Willis’ maximalist, art-forward world. Nov 23, 2024 Full Review Alissa Wilkinson New York Times But this is not really a documentary about revealing secrets — and thank goodness for that. Nov 20, 2024 Full Review Robert Abele Los Angeles Times The zesty, illuminating “The World According to Allee Willis” feels like what the showbiz biodoc was meant for, to give voice to someone who was so much more than a ubiquitous album-sleeve credit. Nov 18, 2024 Full Review Manuel Betancourt FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) It's a lovely documentary to dive into. Dec 5, 2024 Full Review Lael Loewenstein FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) Wow, this is a fascinating and weird person to make a movie about... You do get a sense that she's a really unique, amazing person. Dec 5, 2024 Full Review Linda and Al Lerner Movies and Shakers Director Alexis Spraic structures a fascinating documentary out of 10,000 hours of video material to consolidate Allee’s bold, unvarnished tribute to herself as an imaginative, driven and talented art, music and tech genius, way ahead of her time. Dec 3, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Elizabeth She was a force of nature and it's too bad. no one knew about her before her death Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/21/24 Full Review DAVID Went to see this show as my spouse is a cousin, albeit a distant one, of Allee. It was an eye opener for the both of us. What an amazing talent she was, and how forward thinking about the possible uses of the internet and the then to be born www long before the internet allowed folks to display their creativity and become "influencers" ....and the music she wrote and produced and her accomplishments were amazing and not as appreciated as they deserved in her short life. The entire movie was riveting to watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/20/24 Full Review Lee B This is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. It is so well done. I loved getting to know Allee and see her life. She is so inspiring. I cried because it was so moving. Its fun, touching, honest and a great history lesson. Watch this! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/24/24 Full Review Robert C Fabulous, inspiring, utterly charming documentary about an incredible artistic genius. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, engrossed in every scene. Don't miss this one! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The World According to Allee Willis

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Movie Info

Synopsis Take one look at award-winning songwriter / artist Allee Willis and you see someone unafraid to be themselves. Dressed in a cacophony of prints and colors, her signature asymmetrical haircut and famed parties at her real-life Pee-Wee's Playhouse, Allee didn't waste any opportunity to tell you what she was about. But privately, Allee struggled with not fitting established gender and sexual norms. She buried herself in her work, until true love manifested her ultimate masterpiece -- self-acceptance. Allee began filming her life in 1950s Detroit and never stopped. This film is the realization of her wish that her "final art piece be someone putting together the trail I have left behind."
Director
Alexis Spraic
Producer
Alexis Spraic, Nicholas Coles
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Genre
Documentary, Biography, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 15, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 22, 2024
Runtime
1h 37m
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