Examined Life (2008)

78% of critics liked it
(36 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(4,930 ratings)

This documentary takes a look at the manifestations of contemporary philosophy through interviews with various figures in the field, who examine these existential issues from the vantage point of lively public places, where everyday people demonstrate their views and values through the most clear… More This documentary takes a look at the manifestations of contemporary philosophy through interviews with various figures in the field, who examine these existential issues from the vantage point of lively public places, where everyday people demonstrate their views and values through the most clear and innocuous ways. Some of the guests featured in the film include Cornel West, Avital Ronell, and Peter Singer. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Astra Taylor
Written By: Astra Taylor
Genres: Documentary, Faith & Spirituality, Art House & International

In Theaters: Feb 25, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Feb 23, 2010
Studio: Films We Like/Zeitgeist Films

Critic Reviews

Rob Nelson, Variety
Taylor's stimulating film, enlivened by creative location shooting, will surely find an appreciative audience among highbrow cinephiles.
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
Director-writer Astra Taylor wisely avoids turning this talk fest into a talking heads fest by filming these effusive intellectuals in a variety of visually diverting, real-world environments.
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
There's plenty of food for thought here, though the movie is more a buffet than a meal.
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
Illuminating, even moving.
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
Taylor introduces a degree of playfulness and unpredictability that becomes the movie's M.O.
A.O. Scott, New York Times
Part of the fun of Examined Life comes from watching these very intelligent thinkers try to make themselves intelligible.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An unusual and compelling documentary featuring eight thinkers musing on philosophical matters as they walk in creative places.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
For those interested in seeing philosophers on the screen, this engaging movie offers the opportunity to see eight of them walking the streets.
Patrick Peters, Empire Magazine
The ones that work, Cornel West and Peter Singer for example, are intriguing and compelling but they don't all hang together so effortlessly.
Dave Calhoun, Time Out
You can't help but feel that director Astra Taylor fails at her own challenge of making an academic subject come truly alive as cinema.
Jon Fortgang, Film4
A fascinating introduction to the big issues in modern philosophy, presented with a pleasantly light touch.
Kevin Maher, Times [UK]
Never dull, but it will make your head hurt.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Each of the half-dozen or so thinkers gets around 20 minutes to maunder on - simultaneously not long enough and far too long. Frustratingly, no subject is investigated in depth, and the glibness is dull.
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph
This is an addictive and stimulating experience all round.
Adam Woodward, Little White Lies
Eccentric but always accessible, Taylor's boff-doc avoids the idiosyncrasy that her work has previously exhibited. In bringing philosophy into the real world, Examined Life is at once illuminating and intellectually stimulating.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
A film that can haunt you for the rest of your life.
Mike Scott, Times-Picayune
Although a sporadically stimulating and thoroughly challenging exercise, Examined Life too often feels like a forum for brainy big-thinkers' annoying penchant for being as inscrutable as possible.
Pete Hammond, Boxoffice Magazine
Yes, examining philosophy for the greater effect it can have is admiral but it seems to get lost as the film jumps from one personality to another.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
To [director Astra] Taylor's credit it's as inviting and accessible as a smart conversation with fascinating friends.
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix
She gives eight thinkers 10 minutes each to unload on tough topics like the meaning of life and right and wrong and comes up mostly with a lot of platitudes about treating other people nice.