Becoming Cousteau (Cousteau) (2021)
92%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
2 wins & 11 nominations total
As visually thrilling as it is edifying, Becoming Cousteau pays fitting tribute to a pioneering explorer and environmental advocate.
Becoming Cousteau” is a deep dive into the life and legacy of the legendary oceanographer, Jacques Cousteau. While some critics found the documentary to be a bit traditional in its storytelling, others praised the exceptional filmmaking and nuanced portrait of the man. As someone who loves the ocean and all its mysteries, I found myself completely captivated by Cousteau’s adventures and his dedication to protecting the environment. Plus, who wouldn’t want to explore the depths of the ocean in a cool red beanie like he did? Overall, “Becoming Cousteau” is a must-watch for anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating figure and his impact on the world.
Production Company(ies)
Government of West Bengal
Distributor
Picturehouse
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Pacific Ocean
MPAA / Certificate
– Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, some disturbing images and smoking.
Year of Release
2021
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 33m
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Language(s):English, French
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 22, 2021 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 24, 2021
Genre(s)
Documentary/Biography
Keyword(s)
Becoming Cousteau, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Liz Garbus, Mark Monroe, Pax Wassermann, Mridu Chandra, Dan Cogan, Evan Hayes, documentary, biography, PG-13, National Geographic Documentary Films, box office, budget, reviewed by Phil Hoad, Marina Ashioti, David Stratton, Christy Lemire, Bilge Ebiri, Paul Byrnes, Erick Estrada, Tom O’Brien, James Luxford, Carson Timar, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, starring Vincent Cassel, directed by Liz Garbus, written by Mark Monroe, Pax Wassermann, Mark Monroe, Pax Wassermann, Dolby Digital, Flat (1.85:1), 1h 33m, Picturehouse, Neptune Frost, 18 1/2, H.P Lovecraft’s Witch House, 11th Hour Cleaning, Sh*t Saves the World, Stay Prayed Up, Final Caller, Girl in the Picture, Hello, Goodbye, Everything in Between, Confessions from the Hart, The Prey: Legend of Karnoctus, Moon, 66 Questions, Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel, The Road to Galena, Incantation, Dangerous Liaisons, Jewel, Warriors on the Field, Fair Play
Worldwide gross: $282,634
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $307,395
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,846
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 33,522
US/Canada gross: $231,687
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $251,984
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,496
US/Canada opening weekend: $116,974
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $127,222
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,847
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Jacques-Yves Cousteau – Self
Liz Garbus – Director
Mark Monroe – Writer
Pax Wassermann – Writer
Mridu Chandra – Producer
Director(s)
Liz Garbus
Writer(s)
Mark Monroe, Pax Wassermann, Mark Monroe, Pax Wassermann
Producer(s)
Mridu Chandra, Dan Cogan, Liz Garbus, Evan Hayes
Film Festivals
Telluride, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
2 wins & 11 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (59) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (58) | Rotten (1)
Becoming Cousteau is no hagiography, but greater distance might have also allowed Garbus to reflect more on the man’s environmental legacy.
November 10, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Phil Hoad
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
A nuanced portrait of an oceanographer whose warnings are more prescient than ever.
November 9, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Marina Ashioti
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
He appears to have been a remarkable man, and Becoming Costeau, this detailed portrait of him, does him full justice.
October 30, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
It’s a very traditional documentary in many ways, but if you are fascinated by this man and his life… I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
October 28, 2021
Christy Lemire
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
No wonder entire generations were captivated by this stuff. It wasn’t just the subject matter; it was the filmmaking itself. Garbus conveys that beautifully while briskly threading Cousteau’s biography and emotional journey throughout.
October 28, 2021
Bilge Ebiri
New York Magazine/Vulture
TOP CRITIC
The director Liz Garbus does a workman-like job of telling this part of his story, with hints about the darker side. Cousteau was a complex and driven man, whose views about the world changed markedly.
October 22, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
A “simple” account of [Cousteau’s] life and work… that brings forth the weighty and uncomfortable central idea: Was Cousteau the first marine environmentalist of consequence? [Full review in Spanish]
June 30, 2022
Erick Estrada
Cinegarage
Getting access to the Cousteau archives provided Garbus the chance to create a celebrity-oriented doc that didn’t have to rely on familiar footage or a parade of talking heads, and that alone helps to make “Becoming Cousteau” stand apart from the pack.
June 15, 2022 | Rating: 7/10
Tom O’Brien
Next Best Picture
Cousteau disliked his films being called documentaries, which he described as a lecture from someone who knows more than you. Being Cousteau might be conventional in its storytelling at times, but captures enough to do the great man justice.
March 3, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
James Luxford
City AM
Becoming Cousteau uses exceptionally strong filmmaking which isn’t afraid to take risks and create a unique voice of its own to give the legendary figure a deserved comprehensive capturing of his work and legacy.
February 12, 2022 | Rating: A
Carson Timar
ButteredPopcorn
A visually appealing documentary about Jacques Cousteau’s vast and enthralling explorations of the watery world.
February 7, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality & Practice
This in-depth documentary peels back the onion layers of complexity in Cousteau’s irrepressible personality…essential viewing.
January 9, 2022 | Rating: A
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com…
Plot
A look at the life, passions, achievements and tragedies surrounding the famous explorer and environmentalist Jacques Cousteau, featuring an archive of his newly restored footage.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features Vincent Cassel as the narrator.
Liz-Garbus.jpg
