X
- 2021
- PG-13
- Picturehouse
- 1 h 34 m
- 2021
- PG-13
- Picturehouse
- 1 h 34 m
Summary A look at the life, passions, achievements and tragedies surrounding the famous explorer and environmentalist Jacques Cousteau, featuring an archive of his newly restored footage.
Directed By: Liz Garbus
Written By: Mark Monroe, Pax Wassermann
- 2021
- PG-13
- Picturehouse
- 1 h 34 m
- 2021
- PG-13
- Picturehouse
- 1 h 34 m
Becoming Cousteau
74
User Score
Generally Favorable
7.0
Where to Watch
Summary A look at the life, passions, achievements and tragedies surrounding the famous explorer and environmentalist Jacques Cousteau, featuring an archive of his newly restored footage.
Directed By: Liz Garbus
Written By: Mark Monroe, Pax Wassermann
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
74
81% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
19% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
74
81% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
19% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Becoming Cousteau, Liz Garbus’s ardent and transporting documentary, is one of those movies that puts a life together so beautifully that you feel it heightening your awareness of everyday things.
Becoming Cousteau may not be as deep a journey as some would hope, but for having to chart a lot of years, it hits its points about passion, fame and activism smartly, even movingly.
Though this capable documentary is comprehensively informative in so many ways (perhaps to a fault), the one thing it doesn’t quite convey is the wonder and marvel of the undersea world of Cousteau, which continued to move him until his death at age 87.
Where “Becoming Cousteau” frustrates at times is its thin treatment of Cousteau’s work. The films and shows are represented with plentiful footage but not truly discussed or differentiated. It’s an odd choice, given Cousteau’s cinematic obsession.
Garbus’s approach is respectful, never hagiographic and allows room for consideration of Cousteau’s professional regrets and personal failings.
Garbus never tries to conceal Cousteau’s flaws. For her, in order to understand where we are now, we first need to understand where we came from, and Cousteau represents that touchpoint.
“Becoming Cousteau” could have used a little more focus on his earthly experiences.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 4 User Ratings
7.0
75% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
25% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 4 User Ratings
7.0
75% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
25% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Production Company
Story Syndicate,
Anomaly Content & Entertainment (ACE),
National Geographic Documentary Films,
National Geographic
Release Date Oct 22, 2021
Duration 1 h 34 m
Rating PG-13
Genres
Tagline The Extraordinary Life of the Ocean's Great Protector
Awards
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards
• 1 Win & 5 Nominations
Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US
• 2 Nominations
London Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
