The Nature of Existence (2009)
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61% of critics liked it
(23 reviews) -
61% of users liked it
(387 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
- Directed By
- Roger Nygard
- Genres
- Documentary, Faith & Spirituality
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jun 18, 2010 Wide
- Studio
- Walking Shadows
Critic Reviews
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Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
After 90 minutes of scattershot quips, I felt like I was wearing spiritual beer goggles.
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Cary Darling, Dallas Morning News
Freewheeling and funny.
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John Anderson, Variety
While it will strike some as smug and others as sincere, pic certainly has a feel-good tone and playful attitude.
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Kyle Smith, New York Post
Inquiring into the reasons human beings exist, filmmaker Roger Nygard uncovers this stunner: Various people have different opinions.
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Michael Ordoņa, Los Angeles Times
As a conversation starter ... it's an affable appetizer.
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