The Nature of Existence (2009)

61% of critics liked it
(23 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(238 ratings)

What are the answers to the great questions of life, and who is certain they know the truth others have been struggling to find for centuries? Filmmaker Roger Nygard, after examining the lives of Star Trek fans and used car salesmen, profiles a number of thinkers both great and ordinary in this… More What are the answers to the great questions of life, and who is certain they know the truth others have been struggling to find for centuries? Filmmaker Roger Nygard, after examining the lives of Star Trek fans and used car salesmen, profiles a number of thinkers both great and ordinary in this documentary. For The Nature of Existence, Nygard prepared a questionnaire with 85 weighty philosophical questions, ranging from "Why do we exist?" and "Do we have free will?" to "Who created God?" and "Is there a moral yardstick that applies to all cultures?" Nygard then set out to interview as many people who might have something to say about his list of imponderables as possible, ranging from biologist and author Richard Dawkins, physicist and String Theory creator Leonard Susskind, and Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to a born-again Christian wrestler, the director of The Empire Strikes Back, a pair of self-proclaimed druids, and a pizza cook. The result is a witty, thought-provoking, and often surprising study in the greatest mysteries of life. The Nature of Existence was an official selection at the 2009 Cinequest Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Roger Nygard
Genres: Documentary, Faith & Spirituality

In Theaters: Jun 18, 2010 Wide
On DVD: Nov 9, 2010
Studio: Walking Shadows

Critic Reviews

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
After 90 minutes of scattershot quips, I felt like I was wearing spiritual beer goggles.
Cary Darling, Dallas Morning News
Freewheeling and funny.
John Anderson, Variety
While it will strike some as smug and others as sincere, pic certainly has a feel-good tone and playful attitude.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
Inquiring into the reasons human beings exist, filmmaker Roger Nygard uncovers this stunner: Various people have different opinions.
Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times
As a conversation starter ... it's an affable appetizer.
Mike Hale, New York Times
His film is no more profound than its forerunners, but it's quicker, funnier and less pretentious.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
A journey that prizes intellectual search over simplistic solutions, and if you come to it with a similar attitude you should enjoy ambling along.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
Certainly there are filmgoers who enjoy this kind of noncommittal metaphysical quest. I am not one of them. It makes me think that the filmmaker is more interested in showing us his vacation slides instead of sharing any real insights.
David Cornelius, Popcornworld
It's overly, apologetically polite in its efforts to cover all the bases.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
A fascinating film that shows us just how crazy we are for even trying to answer the big questions.
Steve Ramos, Boxoffice Magazine
The problem is that Nygard is not a showman (like Moore) and the journey quickly loses its appeal.
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
A smart, engrossing, and entertaining crash course in the study of What It All Means.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
An enlightening, provocative and captivating spiritual journey well worth taking.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
Engaging but ironically lightweight, The Nature of Existence offers differing views about The Meaning of Life.
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy
Without putting his own impression on his story, Nygard has made The Nature of Existence both a broad, far-reaching exploration of the concept of existence and an affirmation of the individual possession of belief.
Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine
The Nature of Existence was bound to fall short of its deliberately and ridiculously broad title anyway, but one still wishes for more.
Lisa Rosman, Time Out New York
Nygard's mildly insipid, occasionally condescending tone makes you long for the bombast of early Michael Moore.
Susan Granger, SSG Syndicate
Humorously spritual journey which should lead to an interesting discussion after the closing credits.

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The Nature of Existence (2009)

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