Little Richard: I Am Everything (2023)
93%RT Audience Score:
Awards & Nominations: NA
“Little Richard: I Am Everything” is a vibrant and captivating documentary that delves into the life and legacy of the rock ‘n’ roll icon. Lisa Cortés masterfully weaves together archival footage, interviews, and Little Richard’s own storytelling to create a comprehensive and entertaining portrait of the man behind the music. While the film covers a lot of ground, it never feels overwhelming or disjointed, and instead offers a nuanced and thoughtful exploration of Little Richard’s impact on music and culture. With humor, heart, and a deep appreciation for its subject, “Little Richard: I Am Everything” is a must-see for music fans and anyone interested in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.
“Little Richard: I Am Everything” is a rockin’ good time! This documentary does justice to the legacy of the one and only Little Richard, showcasing his incredible talent and larger-than-life personality. It’s fascinating to learn about his life and career, and the film does a great job of exploring both the highs and lows. Plus, you can’t help but smile when Little Richard himself appears on screen, telling it like it is and commanding your attention. If you’re a fan of rock and roll, or just great music in general, this is a must-see. And if you’re not a fan? Well, as Little Richard would say, “Shut up!”
Production Company(ies)
Bungalow Media + Entertainment, HBO Max, LGBTQ Stories
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (Hbo Max), Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
NR
Year of Release
2023
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 38m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 11, 2023 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 21, 2023
Genre(s)
Documentary/Music
Keyword(s)
documentary, music, biography, Little Richard, rock n’ roll, Black queer, innovator, originator, archive, performance, inner world, family, musicians, scholars, art form, self-expression, God, sex, omni being, everything, English, Lisa Cortes, directed by Lisa Cortes, produced by Lisa Cortes, Robert Friedman, Liz Yale Marsh, Caryn Capotosto, Magnolia Pictures, Dolby Digital, Tom Jones, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, reviewed by Sheri Flanders, Nick Allen, Candice Frederick, Dwight Brown, Drew Gregory, Peter Howell, Loren King, Roger Moore, Mike McGranaghan, Amber Wilkinson, Murtada Elfadl, Fresh Kernels, box office performance, budget, MPAA rating, producer names, critic names, writer names, actor names, genre
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $5,000,000
Production budget ranking: 1,821
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,692,500
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Mick Jagger – Self
Paul McCartney – Self
Little Richard – Self
Lisa Cortes – Director, Producer
Robert Friedman – Producer
Liz Yale Marsh – Producer
Caryn Capotosto – Producer
Director(s)
Lisa Cortes
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Sundance, South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (41) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (39) | Rotten (2)
I enjoyed it immensely. And if you didn’t enjoy it, I’m pretty sure Little Richard would tell you to “Shut up.”
February 21, 2023
Sheri Flanders
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
At its best, “Little Richard: I Am Everything” best fosters a general understanding of his music and makes you want to dig deeper into his art.
February 3, 2023
Nick Allen
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
This is one of those instances where a film thoughtfully reexamines previously established truths about a musician’s legacy so fervently that it completely upends you.
February 3, 2023
Candice Frederick
Huffington Post
TOP CRITIC
Little Richard’s legacy is a magnet and music fans will be drawn to this revealing doc.
February 1, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/4
Dwight Brown
DwightBrownInk.com
TOP CRITIC
This is a fitting tribute to a complicated Black queer icon who deserved more in his life and deserves more in his death.
January 31, 2023
Drew Gregory
Autostraddle
TOP CRITIC
Lisa Cortés delivers the definitive documentary on a complicated icon…
January 28, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
Little Richard often railed against his own erasure as the architect of rock-and-roll. The film makes a strong case for why that’s true and why he deserves his rightful place among rock-and-roll royalty. April 7, 2023
Loren King
Newport This Week (RI)
In covering all the bases, the film’s energy can’t help but flag in the later acts. But Cortes has made an impressive music history that restores a “king” to his rightful place in rock royalty
March 30, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Roger Moore
Movie Nation
The documentary is, like Little Richard himself, colorful, humorous, and wildly entertaining.
March 27, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat
There’s fascination and frustration to be had from this documentary about Little Richard, which is hampered by trying to encompass every single element of the rock’n’roll icon’s long and multifaceted 87-year life and legacy.
March 16, 2023
Amber Wilkinson
Screen International
Little Richard: I Am Everything critiques the star’s Christian evangelism, which strikes an unexpected note in these types of biodocs.
February 25, 2023 | Rating: A-
Murtada Elfadl
Mediaversity Reviews
Cortés’s craftsmanship and Little Richard’s fascinating ability as a storyteller elevate the film as a mighty, affirming declaration that the culture of rock ’n’ roll would not be where it is today without him.
February 14, 2023
Rendy Jones
Xtra Magazine…
Plot
Little Richard: I Am Everything is a documentary that explores the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll and tells the life story of the innovator and originator, Richard Penniman.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Little Richard himself appears in the film as a self-portrayal.
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