Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Jimmy_the_Gent4 I saw this in a New York independent film theater when it was first released. I knew Bill Wither's hit songs of era but knew nothing of his private life. He comes across in this doc as a laid back southern gentleman. He left the music business, seemingly by choice. He is content to spend time with his family and occasionally dabble in making music when the mood hits him. Some of the best moments show him visiting his old home town in West Virginia and reminiscing with a childhood friend. A funny scene shows him talking about his job making toilets for 747s, which he speaks about with as much pride as he did his songwriting. What is refreshing about this is that he seems to be saying take pride in your work no matter what. There is an encounter with Dr Cornell West and Tavis Smiley, two black commentators and activists. They try to get Withers to talk about not "selling out", but Bill will have none of that, he just says even if you own a furniture store, the best sign you can have is "Sold Out". Withers also mentions that women did not find him handsome until he became famous, he wasn't able to get women while making 3 dollars a hour! Withers reveals he was a stutterer when he was young, and there is a moving sequence where he speaks to children with the same problem. There is later a wonderful scene where his daughter sings a hypnotic blues song she composed herself, she clearly inherited his musical talent and has a lovely voice. By this time, we are wondering if we will get to hear Withers himself sing again, and the last scenes finally show him on stage at a tribute where he gives us his classic "Grandma's Hands"Definitely a must see for anyone interested in 70's music and if you want to see a nice guy not finish last for once.

Michael_Elliott Still Bill (2009) *** (out of 4) Candid documentary about soul singer Bill Weather's who is best known today for the classics "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine" but just as his career was taking off he decided to leave the business and take care of his family. This is a pretty fascinating documentary on many levels but the biggest is probably just the fact that everyone knows a song like "Lean on Me" yet they might not realize who sings it or whatever happened to him. This documentary runs 78-minutes and it really tries to explain what Withers has been up to in the twenty-three years since his last album. Withers discusses why he walked away from the business, the issues he had being popular and we also learn some darker things including his work with stuttering children, which he was one of when he was younger. In the film's most touching moment Withers is being honored for his work with stuttering kids and he finally breakdowns, which is extremely heartfelt and especially his message for the kids. We also deal with his music as he explains what he has been up to all these years and we also hear from his daughter who herself was trying to get into music. The cameras are also there as Withers plans on getting back in the studio for a Spanish song. Fans of Withers are certainly going to enjoy seeing this look at his life because you really do get a great idea of who the man is and it's clear that he has a certain integrity that would be hard to find in the business. The way he just walked away from the money and spotlight because he didn't have anything to say can be greatly admired as is the work he does for those who suffered as he did as a child. We get clips from live performances, TV shows as well as a tribute concert. STILL BILL still leaves a few questions unanswered and at times it goes slightly off the rails but this is still an impressive film worth watching.

druid333-2 For anybody who grew up listening to & loving soul music in the 1970's, this film is well worth seeking out. It concerns Bill Withers,who had a long string of chart hits,from his signature "Ain't No Sunshine" (which opens the film),"Grandma's Hands","Lean On Me",and others. In 1985, Bill decided to end his career in the music industry (but he never stopped writing or playing music---just for his own pleasure). We get first hand accounts from Mr. Withers,himself on life,love & just why he stepped down from the limelight. We are treated to various clips of Bill (mostly from television appearances)playing snippets from his hits,in conversation with Tavis Smiley & Cornell West,and kudos from the likes of Angelique Kidjo,Sting & others. Damani Baker & Alex Vlack co direct this ever so fine portrait of a man who preferred family over success. I guess my only issue with this film is that it's somewhat short (it clocks in at a scant 78 minutes). I know I had the same issue with the recently released 'Soul Power' (which for me could have been a good three hours,as there was boat loads of talent playing at that festival). Short running time aside, this film is still worth checking out,if you love soul music. Not rated by the MPAA,this film contains a naughty word or two,but has nothing else to offend.

edwardhblake If you're a fan of Bill Withers, you'll truly appreciate this in depth and personal documentary. It focuses primarily on his life and achievements at the age of 70, but it also revisits his past and how events and people shaped him and who he is today. Withers is amazingly funny and wise - full of life lessons that shouldn't be missed. If I had a complaint about the documentary (or why I wouldn't give it a 10/10) I would say that some of the material ventures into overly sentimental themes but that's not easy to avoid. After seeing it, I immediately began rooting through my music collection to find my Bill Withers material.