Celine Dion’s heartbreaking documentary, I Am: Celine Dion, which chronicles her battle with incurable stiff-person syndrome, has been praised by critics upon its release on Tuesday.
The heartbreaking film captured over a year of filming, follows the star as she struggles to continue her normal life and career amid her diagnosis, and earned a perfect 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Dion, 56, announced in December 2022 that he had been diagnosed with the syndrome, an extremely rare disorder that causes muscles in the torso and limbs to alternate between spasms and stiffness.
Time Critic Rich Juzwiak called the film “the opposite of a vanity project” and praised Dion for her candor, including recording a difficult moment in which she struggles to sing Foreigner’s I Want To Know What Love Is because of the condition that causes stiffness in the chest.
The review says: ‘In a way, I am: Celine Dion is a meditation on aging and what happens to stars whose abilities decline over time, whether or not they are a rare diagnosis. As tragic and debilitating as it is, Dion’s condition gives her a reason to express many feelings that many stars never want to acknowledge.
Celine Dion’s heartbreaking documentary, I Am: Celine Dion, which chronicles her battle with incurable stiff-person syndrome, has been praised by critics after its release on Tuesday.
The heartbreaking film captured over a year of filming, follows the star as she struggles to continue her normal life and career amid her diagnosis, and earned a perfect 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
“No one wants to talk about what it means to be past your prime, but SPS has forced Dion to contemplate just that.”
New York Times Critic Chris Azzopardi praised Dion for allowing “raw footage” to be included in the film, as well as handling her condition with humor.
In one such scene, Dion suffers a 10-minute spasm while crying in anguish and being administered painkillers.
Dion’s spontaneously expressive personality already shines through her pain in raw footage that feels more connected to her healing journey, like when her physical therapist scolds her for a cream she hasn’t been applying to her feet. “Give me a break,” he says with playful exasperation.
“These uncomfortable segments undermine the powerful emotional atmosphere of watching Dion transcend her circumstances. Especially when she lets the cameras stand still, showing some of the bleakest health-related scenes I’ve ever seen from a superstar on screen.
IndieWire Critic Ryan Lattanzio called the documentary “gorgeous and intimate” and praised Dion for the “hauntingly candid and up-close-and-personal account of her psychic freefall following that diagnosis.”
‘She’s never been anyone but herself, and this film allows that self to shine in a way that seems rare in a documentary about an artist.’
Collider Critic Isabella Soares wrote: “Every time an old video of Dion comes on screen, showing her effortlessly hitting the right notes on songs like “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” it’s usually followed by images of the icon in the present. , breaking into song and fighting to keep his voice from breaking.
‘Seeing your primary instrument miss the mark is heartbreaking and unfair, especially for someone who has always been very professional at his craft. The musician even jokes that she envies rock stars with hoarse voices for drinking and smoking, because she has always been very meticulous about hydrating herself and getting enough sleep to keep her performance intact.
Soares praised Dion’s “penetrating depiction” of struggles “that doesn’t shy away from making the audience feel like a fly on the wall.”
audiovisual club Critic Manuel Betancourt called the film “intimate, forceful and heartbreaking” in an enthusiastic review.
“Interrupts between unguarded moments in which Dion cries (talking about her demanding physical therapy sessions and the many pills she depends on) and striking scenes in which her vocal and physical prowess are put on full display for the entire world to see. I enjoyed them, it’s heartbreaking.
But there is no self-pity here. The documentary, following Dion’s example, does not simply look back; There is a path ahead.”
The film’s synopsis reads: “From visiting her couture tour wardrobe and personal effects to spending time in the recording studio, the documentary captures the never-before-seen private life of a global megastar.
“A moving, energetic and poetic love letter to music, I Am: Celine Dion captures more than a year of filming as the legendary singer navigates her journey toward an open and authentic life in the midst of illness.”
Amazon MGM obtained worldwide rights to the documentary and the film streamed on Prime Video.
Irene Taylor directed the documentary made by Sony Music Vision, Sony Music Entertainment Canada and Vermilion Films.
Dion’s condition has affected her distinctive voice and she has stopped performing while working on her health (pictured in 2015).
“I’ve been dealing with health issues for a long time and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and talk about everything I’ve been going through,” she said in an emotional video announcing her condition for the first time. .
Although she initially postponed her Courage World Tour until spring 2024, the Golden Globe winner decided to cancel it in May.
“Although it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to get back on stage,” she told her loyal fans.
The determined artist seems to have kept the promise she made to continue working on her health. ‘I want you all to know that I won’t give up… and I can’t wait to see you again!’ she said at the time.
Celine’s sister recently revealed that the singer had lost control of her muscles due to her condition.
Dion revealed her diagnosis in 2022 and previously said it can cause spasms so strong they can break your ribs and feel a choking sensation in your throat (pictured in 2019).
“Celine is a fighter,” a source told US Weekly. “She doesn’t have as much control over her muscles as before, but she is working with doctors and physical therapists to improve.”
The source claimed: “Celine has taken time to focus on her health, but plans to take the stage again once her medical team gives her the all-clear.”
A second knowledgeable person backed up the comments.
“She remains positive and optimistic and does physical therapy every day,” the source said.
‘Getting back on stage in some form is his constant dream, even if he can no longer sing; she just wants to see those bright faces.
Stiff person syndrome is a “rare autoimmune neurological disorder that commonly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go and may worsen over time,” according to John Hopkins Medicine.
