Little Richard: I Am Everything

Little Richard was a compelling figure that often hasn't been heard, let alone understood. Lisa Cortes, in her third documentary feature, just scratches the surface about the icon, however she's able to shed light on the influence of the artist on today's musicians in a way that hasn't been put to film. Cortes traces the roots of Rock N Roll to Little Richard and beyond which is fascinating. We're bashed over the noggin with talking heads from every generation, but John Waters stands out. The ups and downs of the life are often glossed over in favor of explaining how people have poorly treated Little Richard. All of that being said, the doc made sense, it was well presented and is a necessary watch for any fan of Rock or its history. I would have loved to learn more about the death of his father or why he was denouncing his sexuality at the end of his life. A complicated individual and a filmmaker who is trying to shed light on who Little Richard was. It is an answer we may never know. Final Score: 8.7/10

It is so fascinating to learn so much about this legendary icon of rock and roll. The tragedy and triumph that Little Richard experienced in his life is so inspiring to anybody that watches this documentary! A must see!

This is a great and well done rockumentary. Little Richard was such a deeply complex and talented and conflicted individual. This movie, produced by CNN, captures very effectively the many facets of his life a career. Through archival footage, interviews old and new, and storytelling we learn about the musical influence of this trailblazer who impacted the Beatles, Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones, Elvis, Prince, Michael Jackson, and more. We also see the painful conflict regarding Little Richard's deeply complex relationship with himself-with his image, with his sexuality, and his relationship with God. This is a moving film. I loved it.

I really enjoyed the movie and I am a fan of Little Richard! He deserves accolades for his immense contribution to music!

Though I've known about Little Richard for over 60+ years, I never really knew his back story and what a rock pioneer he was. This movie was an eye opener for me. I now appreciate his talent even more and realize he deserved way more credit than he ever received. No matter what type of music you like, take the time to watch this movie.

I love this movie 🥰

Didn't realize how influential he was. So good when little Richie was on screen. There were times when instead of archive footage of Richie modern day artists performed weak renditions of his songs… not their fault… just can't do what a legend does. Also felt that present day morals were being applied retrospectively. Took away from the story.

Tutti Frutti, this guy blew me away. What a voice, loud or soft. Piano playing instead of the same ol' guitars. Reminds me of Elvis how he got swindled out of his fair share of royalties, but it said he broke his record contract early on when the biggest hits were coming.

This movie is very good if you are a Little Richard fan or just a fan of classic rock and roll. It covered his life from childhood to his passing and the tremendous impact that he had on the superstars of rock and the music industry itself.

Compiling archive footage of his performances and interviews he has given during his lifetime, with fresh talking head interviews from celebrities and academics, Lisa Cortes sets out to illustrate articulately one simple point: that Little Richard is a black and gay musical pioneer who basically invented rock-and-roll, and everyone else just copied or is inspired by him. The impressive calibre of interviewees we have here singing his praises and advocating that exact point on his behalf, reflects how impactful he was and how powerful this film's argument is. Along the way, the politics of that, both in terms of race and his sexuality, are dissected and elaborated in a most informative and enlightening manner, as his story is not a particularly well known one unless you're a fan or have researched his life in details. Charting the rise from Richard Wayne Penniman, a young black man from Macon, Georgia, with a certain Southern religious upbringing, to becoming the outrageous and fearless Little Richard on stage that we know of, via the many hits that he wrote, and often made famous by other less black and less flamboyant singers, the film paints a picture of a talented but conflicted entertainer who seems to oscillate between wild notoriety and regretful repression, shimmering in and out of the closet numerous times. Reasons are hinted at for such erratic behaviour but it's never definitive and certainly non-judgmental. Well constructed and totally fascinating, especially for those of us who don't know how it all turns out, this documentary presents us with a re-appraisal of the rock-and-roll icon via the opinions of his peers and admirers, even if his private life is a difficult, if not impossible, reconciliation of his true self and the religious upbringing that has haunted him all his life.