Becoming Cousteau (2021)

Gleiberman praises the documentary as an ardent, transporting portrait whose most moving force is Cousteau’s environmental awakening. He especially singles out its archival footage and the way it immerses viewers in Cousteau’s love of the ocean.

Scheck finds the documentary consistently engrossing and informative, offering a richly humanistic portrait of Cousteau. He praises its intimate use of archival footage and its reminder of Cousteau’s legacy in exploration and environmental activism.

Murray finds the documentary fascinating and thoughtful, showing how Cousteau evolved from explorer and entertainer into an environmental advocate. He praises Garbus’s curation of archival footage and storytelling, especially the arresting underwater imagery.

Ebiri finds the documentary informative, admiring, and admirably willing to show Cousteau’s flaws and regrets. He especially praises Garbus’s use of archival footage to convey the beauty and originality of Cousteau’s filmmaking.

Frost gives the documentary a positive verdict, praising its archive-rich account of Cousteau’s life and influence. She singles out the singular experiences and accomplishments that shaped his environmental legacy.

Abele finds the documentary smart and moving, though not as deep a journey as some might hope. He praises how Garbus uses Cousteau’s archival footage to portray both his adventurous curiosity and evolving environmental convictions.

The review finds the documentary an engaging, optimistic portrait, though it handles Cousteau’s life matter-of-factly and avoids deeper complexity. It praises the beautiful, eerie archival underwater cinematography and the way Cousteau’s films bring his connection to the sea to life.

The review presents the documentary as engaging and clearly positive. It singles out how Cousteau’s story reflects the history of the environmental movement.

Hoad finds Cousteau’s life and career impressive, while arguing the documentary could have offered deeper insight into his family and environmental legacy. He praises the remarkable scope of Cousteau’s accomplishments but questions whether the film examines his influence critically enough.

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The review finds the documentary a nuanced portrait of Cousteau’s complicated legacy, though its approach is formulaic. It praises the intimate use of archival footage, family voices and journal entries.

Barsanti finds the film beautiful and a solid introduction, but ultimately too respectful and thin in its treatment of Cousteau’s work. He praises the archival footage for its vivid, sensual images while faulting the film for not exploring Cousteau’s films in enough depth.

McCarthy finds the documentary an invigorating introduction and a valuable reminder of Cousteau’s life and work. He praises its use of archival material to show how Cousteau became an environmental pioneer.

The review finds Cousteau’s life and environmental legacy compelling, though family tragedy and moral complications temper the adventure. It praises the stylish clothing and colourised underwater images for transporting viewers into a magical world.

The critic finds the respectful biography effective, though it tends to burnish Cousteau’s legend and neglects parts of his personal life. The archival footage and the continuing urgency of his environmental message stand out as its strengths.