A post-concussion syndrome, the result of a 2007 bicycle accident, left Tom Shadyac, a filmmaker best known for writing and directing comedies such as Ace Ventura, The Nutty Professor, Liar Liar and Bruce Almighty, experiencing months of acute headaches and hyper-sensitivity to light and noise. Once partially recovered, Shadyac reexamined his life and started on a journey that he summed up in two questions: What’s Wrong With the World? and What Can We Do About It? The resulting documentary combines Shadyac’s personal story with interviews with scientists, religious leaders, environmentalists and philosophers.
I Am suffers from a well-intended filmmaker wanting to make a statement. The first part of the film, telling Shadyac’s own personal story and setting up the quest, is beautifully done. Shadyac’s background in comedy comes handy to ward off what otherwise could have been heaviness of matter. But midway through the film, when we get the message that we are all connected, there is nothing new to add. The message is being pounded time and again, and as wonderful as it is, it takes away from the story.
With that said, I Am is a superbly uplifting film which does touch on some interesting angles not commonly known.
I personally liked it a lot.