An upbeat film going multiple around the country right now isn’t some fringy, new-agey piece of wishful thinking. Mainstream comedy director Tom Shadyac (“Bruce Almighty,” “Ace Ventura”) found himself in the decidedly unfunny situation of suffering long-term health consequences from a concussion. As a result (in the words of the Los Angeles Times), “the Hollywood player did some serious rethinking about success, status and stuff.” His new movie is a rather breathtaking documentary featuring many key voices that is simply called “I AM.”
I think that another great title for it would be “WE ARE.” From the most scientific to the most philosophical to the most spiritual perspectives in the film (and all the ways that those are the same thing), we are connected to each other and the earth. We exist in community, always and everywhere. That’s why the director “holds himself up as a prime example of the conspicuous consumption that many native cultures consider a sign of mental illness” and then does something joyful about it. What do you think he did and what could next steps be for any of us? (Hint: he’s not living under a rock in Topanga.)
