There have been many documentaries that seek to reveal a public person, but even with the intrusive camera, you rarely get the feeling that everything was revealed. The film I’m about to discuss is an exception.
The new documentary I Am: Celine Dion takes you beneath the veneer of celebrity. So often pop music is about creating an illusion of perfection. Céline Dion is the Queen of Power Ballads. Even with world-class producers and engineers modulating her recordings to incredible exactitude, she’s never failed to allow her realness to shine through.
Even with Céline Dion’s many mega-hits, so much of her repertoire isn’t known by the public. In French and English, she has recorded a lot of music: from contemporary songs to standards like “At Last.” If you haven’t gone further than the hits, you are likely to find lots of material you’ll enjoy.
“I Am: Celine Dion” is about the power of will.
I Am: Celine Dion offers plenty of “behind the scenes” into the life of one of the best singers ever, but also a deeper understanding of the stiff-person syndrome she is facing. If you know about the disease, as you can imagine, this documentary makes for somber viewing. I can assure you, this documentary shows more than you can imagine.
The harrowing reality of suffering from stiff-person syndrome is inconceivable, but you’ll also witness the power of will. Will is the defining attribute in Céline Dion’s make up. “Unstoppable” defines her.
Her need to perform is inextinguishable. Although one of the top recording artists, as she says in the film, “When you record, it sounds great. But when you go on stage it will be greater.” She’s got it right. Witnessing a great singer live is an entirely different thing. There’s no mistake on stage because there is humanity.
The question that looms in I Am: Celine Dion is: will Céline sing in front of a live audience again?
This comes back to “will,” yet again. Something very strong inside of me says that Céline Dion will return to live performance. Some may say it’s not possible. It’s impossible until that person with will comes along. You can’t separate an artist from their raison d’être.
You won’t stop Céline Dion
I believe Céline may adjust some things about how she performs, and there may be changes to the material she sings, but you won’t stop her. As Céline Dion said in the film, “If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. And I won’t stop. I won’t stop.”
I Am: Celine Dion is a documentary more personal than any diary. Although viewing isn’t an entirely comforting experience, you’ll be left with lots of inspiration. You’ve come to love what Céline Dion can do. When I Am: Celine Dion fades to black, you’ll simply love her.
