Is Norman Lear: A Life on Television Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2023)

📖 The Core Premise

Norman Lear: A Life on Television returns to the screen in 2023, bringing a fresh narrative to the Documentary genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "An ET special that features new interviews with stars of the long-running comedies Lear created and never-before-seen interviews from the ET vault. This one-hour special features new interviews with stars of the long-running comedies Lear created, including Jimmie Walker and Mackenzie Phillips. Also included with this new footage and interviews is an in-depth sit-down interview with Lear that ET host Kevin Frazier conducted when Lear celebrated his 100th birthday, in which he reflected on his lengthy, groundbreaking career."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Nischelle Turner attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Norman Lear: A Life on Television worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Norman Lear: A Life on Television misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 43 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.