Fantastic!

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

If you are one of those few (optimistic) people who are into self-improvement, this documentary is for you. It's practical, inspiring and life-changing. Get into it-- you will not regret it.

It shows that people don't see reality, but only see what someone else wants them to see or in the case of many of the reviewers what they want to see. It's a self defeating ego. That is what Tom Shadyac does in this crappy adolescent film. I think he should stick to what he does horribly well. Making crappy B rated comedies. There is a lot being said, but no proof or science, just pure opinionated speculation. He even puts down science in the film, yet tries to use science to prove his wild assumptions horribly. Make up your mind. If science is bad then why try to use science to justify your claims? If living in a primitive tribe was so great then how come he doesn't live as one, or how about we all do? At times I get tired of many using primitive tribes as if we have evolved backwards. There is a reason why most of us don't live as primitives anymore, because there are many negatives to being primitive. They weren't the loving peaceful primates that some people make them out to be. That's the problem with this film is that it does what most Facebook Meme Crack does. Makes you feel good, but only tells one side of the story. It's not reality, and people become addicted to its short lived message. Many of these films have been produced, and in what way have they contributed to the evolution of people? They haven't. If anything I'm surprised anyone even goes tot he doctor anymore. They are synonymous to snake handlers. Its very dangerous and irresponsible. They believe faith will cure them. They never tell you the negative consequences. They hide them, and cover them up. They are not very transparent. They are very opaque. They give the impression they are open and honest, but in ALL things there are negatives, consequences etc, but they show none of it, or the other side of their argument. Debbie Ford plagiarized and misrepresented Carl Jung's work on the shadow self in her book, "The Dark Side of the Light Chasers". She basically says the same thing as many of the New Age movement does. She claimed miraculous healing by following what she instructed yet the reality is she could not save herself from dyeing from cancer. Yet people still read and buy her book? Because people want to believe even if it harms them. This is the problem with the New Age moment and why it is not very scientific. It is taken from personal experiences that have no way of proving or disproving. It's the same reason why eyewitnesses make the worse kind of witnesses. Its perception, which is not based in over all reality, but only personal reality which is skewed. Tom Shadyac had the obsession to reach out and give a message of love and hope because of his accident, but this happens all of the time. We don't suddenly become spiritual gurus because of near death experiences. It's a false sense of reality due to that traumatic or near life act. It more complicated then that. The movie description explained about renowned philosophers and intellectuals, yet I have found none! There was very little science and the science they did show was extremely skewed, and taken out of context. He picks and chooses who he interviews making sure they go along with what he wants. He even puts down science in the film equating it with communism. That's horrendous and irresponsible. In his review of "Life's Operating Manual" for the New York Journal of Books, Martin A. David states:"Many, if not most, of Mr. Shadyac's elucidations are mundane truisms. But this absolutely does not discredit them ... Books like his are frequently read by people who already understand the messages contained but desire booster shots of energizing inspirations. Preaching to the choir is not a bad thing, but the preacher has to do something more to keep the choir awake ... Tom Shadyac's view of what we need to keep our world from continuing on its downward spiral would have carried more gravitas he had said it better and with more convincing clarity. It would, indeed, be helpful if a how-to book for existence were available."Enough said.

In this ever strange world and times we are living in this is a must see for everyone hoping for change and peace towards one another. Tom Shadyac had a bad experience and took that time to explore a new subject. I love it because its based on Science, We all have enough Religion thrown daily to us, this is more nature related, how WE are are together on this planet, same feelings, same emotions-its all connected at some level. You can insert Religion, now to make the picture complete, so everyone is happy. Also, a good movie anyone, at any age, will enjoy and getting something, some feelings about, and will most definitely want to discuss after.

Tom Shadyac is one of those people we might hold up as a model for living the American dream. He was successful early, as a writer for Bob Hope when he was only 24. He went on to direct some of the big-money movies of stars like Jim Carrey and Robin Williams. He had it all, wealth and fame. But he also found out he wasn't really happier, he could just afford more "stuff" and travel by private jet.Shadyac had an accident, on his bike. He received some bruises that didn't heal well, he suffered from a syndrome that makes some people suicidal. He wasn't but he got to the point where he didn't really care if he lived or not, and in that process examined his whole life. And further, examined our world, and asked "What's wrong with it and how can it be fixed?" The title comes from an anecdote some years back, when writer Chesterton was asked for an essay on why the world is in trouble and his essay was only two words long, "I AM." And that is the theme of this film. It looks at humans but also the animal and plant kingdoms in general. It even dips into Scientific experiments that seem to indicate some pretty far out things about how everything in the world is connected. It is harsh on things like "the economy" and "wall street" where competition and profits are the only goal. Win or lose. Amass wealth just to do so.The message here is that other animals and humans do best when they cooperate, when they share their good fortune and talents, when we all work for the greater good and not just for our own glory. And as John Lennon famously wrote "All you need is love." I believe much of what is presented here is valid, but how do you change a world that has been headed down a path for such a long time? Children compete from an early age, sports or spelling bees. They are educated to get a good degree and a good, "competitive" job. Not that those things are inherently bad, it is just the focus needs to be placed into a positive perspective. In a way I have embraced many of these thoughts for a while. I quit "competing" long ago, and I like to greet everyone I meet with a smile and a good word, you never know when that little bit will make a difference. Can we do this with the whole world? It is a big question.Interesting film, makes you think.