For the Love of Spock (2016) User Reviews

A Man And The Character Who Made Him Famous

[sddavis63 · 8/10 · 27 December 2016]

It may be called "For The Love Of Spock," but this documentary is really about the entire breadth of Leonard Nimoy's life. Perhaps the most beloved and iconic character and actor in the long history of the Star Trek franchise, this film obviously has a heavy focus on Star Trek, but also provides a fascinating (to use a word made famous by Mr. Spock) look at Nimoy's family and the way in which Star Trek fame impacted his family life. It can be a bit jarring at times to those who want to see Nimoy as interchangeable with Spock. He wasn't as in control as his famous alter-ego. His family life wasn't perfect, he had his own demons and addictions to deal with. The documentary was made by Nimoy's son, Adam, who used a letter his father had written to him in the early 1970's as a sort of catalyst, moving the film forward. Theirs was at times a troubled relationship, but was ultimately a healed relationship, and this film is clearly the story of a man paying tribute to his father, who died partway through the film's production.

There's a lot to follow - from Nimoy's early days as a struggling actor (never working more than two weeks at a time until Star Trek, as he tells us in an interview) to the fame he achieved as Mr. Spock, and a brief look at some of his other work as an actor and director. One thing we learn is that fame came with a price. However, clearly Nimoy was a man respected by his many peers and whose portrayal of Spock had an influence beyond his own work. There are interviews with the cast of the new Star Trek franchise, some discussions with Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik from "The Big Bang Theory" about Spock's influence on Parsons' "Sheldon" character, appearances from a variety of others (including Neil deGrasse Tyson) and interviews with many of Nimoy's original Star Trek castmates (William Shatner, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig all appear.)

I must be honest and confess that it seemed a little bit too long at almost two hours, but it does have a lot of interesting material in it. It will be of most interest to fans of Star Trek, obviously. (8/10)

For the hard-core Trekkie, and anyone else with an affinity for Spock

[steven-leibson · 9/10 · 7 September 2016]

Star Trek's been in my life for a week shy of 50 years at this point. I was saddened by Leonard Nimoy's death in early 2015 both because of my affinity for Mr. Spock and because I was able to work on a TV show for one day with Nimoy. So when I got a chance to contribute to the making of this movie through Kickstarter, I jumped at it. This documentary, made with a heap of love by Nimoy's son Adam, chronicles the life of the actor starting with his move to California in the 1940s, follows him through his salad days in the 1950s working as an actor for no more than two weeks at a time, and then describes his big break, diving off the cliff into Star Trek. As the movie will tell you, Roddenberry wrote the role of Mr. Spock specifically with Nimoy in mind. What happened after that resulted in one of the most durable characters on both the big and small screens, alien or no. If you followed the saga of Star Trek for all or even part of the last half century, then you will definitely want to see this film.

Personal Material Makes This One A Keeper

[zkonedog · 7/10 · 25 February 2017]

Despite the fact that William Shatner's Captain Kirk was the ostensible lead of "Star Trek: The Original Series", it was ultimately Leonard Nimoy's Mr. Spock that often stole the show. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Trek, Leonard's son Adam Nimoy decided to make a documentary somewhat focusing on his father's time as Spock. When Leonard unexpectedly passed from COPD, however, Adam decided that the documentary must take on a more personal, emotional tone. "For the Love of Spock" was the end result, an emotional piece that thrives on its ability to show Mr. Nimoy the husband and father.

Because Nimoy (and his alter-ego Spock) had become such a luminous figure in the entertainment community, it is very interesting to get "insider" glimpses into what his life was like when the cameras stopped rolling. That is the heart and soul of "For The Love Of Spock". Thoughts about Leonard/Spock from fellow actors and family members are quite poignant, while Adam's composure and dignity in hearing all this about his father is interesting to take in as well.

The reason I can't give this the full five stars is because the parts dealing with Trek/Spock in general are rather generic, using footage I had seen before and not really giving me any new information. Without the shift in focus towards the familial side of Nimoy, I think this may have been a rather middle-of-the-road documentary.

Overall, though, I very much enjoyed watching "For the Love of Spock", as it provided me with new insight into the personality of Leonard Nimoy and how not only his peers but also his family viewed him. Adam Nimoy does a good job of getting the most out of the experience, and many emotional moments are present. Highly recommend for those who still can't quite believe that Mr. Nimoy has left this mortal coil, and want to get a peek into his life both on and off camera.

A wonderful documentary about the life of the man who played Spock

[angie-42715 · 10/10 · 10 September 2016]

This documentary about the life of Leonard Nimoy was entertaining and informative. I thought I knew a lot about the man and his career, but had many "I didn't know that" moments, as I imagine will most Trekkies and other fans. The film focuses on the man and his many diverse achievements, but avoided the false light of perfection, showing Leonard's ability to experience setbacks and grow throughout his life, both professionally and personally. Putting celebrities on pedestals isn't good for us or them and this film avoids doing that. The film is honest in ways that will undoubtedly surprise many. Leonard Nimoy is not synonymous with Spock, but even hardcore Trekkies should enjoy depth of the film and learning more about the man, rather than just the character. A big "bravo!" to Director Adam Nimoy, aka Son of Spock, and his team.

Simply brilliant...

[darksummoner1 · 10/10 · 18 September 2016]

A touching and well made tribute to an entertainment icon. Adam Nimoy has truly reached deep into his father's, and his own, past experiences to bring to life this crowd funded portrait of the man who gave us the immortal Mr. Spock. Littered with cameos from fellow cast members, directors, fans, conventioneers, and fellow actors, For The Love of Spock is one of the best biographical documentaries I've ever seen, and an essential for the Trek faithful. Not limited to the professional, the younger Nimoy also relates his own experiences at home both as a child and later in their lives. You'll laugh, you'll cry... and perhaps relive some of what made Nimoy beloved to millions.

Mandatory for Any Fan

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 20 January 2017]

In 2015, Leonard Nimoy passed away at the age of 83 in Los Angeles after a successful career especially in the role of Mr. Spock, the science officer and first office of the star-ship Enterprise from the original Star Trek series. His son, the unknown director Adam Nimoy, sees the chance to show to the fans a little of the history of his father through interviews of various fellow actors, actresses, directors, personalities and fans of Star Trek and Spock and footage of home videos. The documentary is mandatory for any fan and gives nostalgia from the period when the series was broadcast for the first time. It could be shorter since the participation of the cast of "The Big Bang Theory" is excessive and uninteresting. In the end, "For the Love of Spock" is a great homage to the beloved character and cult-actor. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): Not available

Total surprise from a person and character of my generation.

[eenuckols · 9/10 · 29 January 2017]

For The Love of Spock is one of the best if not the best documentary I have had the pleasure of seeing. I grew up with Mr. Spock and I thought with Leanord Nimoy as well. I am not going to spoil this for but I really had no idea of, let me say, mutliple facets of this wonderful actor and a good man. Adam Nimoy, Leanords son, has done an outstanding job of letting us see inside his fathers life. On a personal level I found out some things about Leanord that I can commiserate with. I don't believe this will qualify as a surprise in describing a discussion Leanord was having about where the Vulcan gretting and statement came from. What took me by surprise is that after a few weeks he started seeing a significant number of people just on the street who had taken up the greeting and would sign to him. Let me end by saying this is a documentary you should not miss and we will miss you Leonard.

Worthwhile for Trek fans, but has its gaps

[Windy_Dave · 7/10 · 14 September 2016]

I just saw the film this evening and generally enjoyed it. It not just about Spock, but also about Leonard Nimoy and his relationship with his son, Adam (the filmmaker). A touchstone in this story is a letter Leonard wrote to his son in 1973. Adam reads portions of this and uses it as a launching pad to take the narrative in different directions. The last time he reads it, he puts the letter back in an envelope and puts it on top of a copy of "I am not Spock." I remember seeing a copy of this book in a bookstore in the 1970s (I'm dating myself here). Leonard wrote this book out of frustration for constantly being pushed into the "Spock" box as he tried to make his way in his acting career (and other pursuits) after Star Trek. Yet, from this film, you would never guess Leonard had a difficult relationship with the character he created. Yes, he eventually made peace with the notoriety that came with creating and 'being' the Spock character, and came to accept the fan attention as an acknowledgement of the universal appeal of the character he created. But why is this absent from the film? We hear about his records and his photography, but what about his poetry? We hear some about his drinking problem and hear allusions to the 30 years of smoking that killed him (COPD). Amazingly, for all the photos we see of him, I only saw one that showed him smoking.

A testament to the appeal of the Spock character and the actor who created him is in the very long list of people who participated in the crowdfunding to get this film made.

Biographical documentary of the actor - Leonard Nimoy

[deebz270 · 10/10 · 30 November 2016]

It is not that often that one is moved emotionally when watching a biographical documentary, but this had me both laughing, smiling, nodding, empathizing and yes certainly shedding the odd tear... .

This is quite simply a superb tribute to the life and times of one of the most influential and inspiring celebrities of our time - Leonard Nimoy(1931-2015).

Peppered with rostrum footage of many of the actors connected with Star Trek. Particular noteworthy were the sentiments of George Takei (Sulu), Bill Shatner (Kirk), Walter Koenig (Chekov), Nichelle Nichols (Uhuru) and Neil DeGrasse Tyson... Sentiments, equally echoed by the entire cast of the new film series.

Even if you are not a 'Trekkie', this film will reach, where no other bio-documentary films have gone before.

Beautifully and thoughtfully directed by his son Adam Nimoy. Which no doubt Spock would have approved of and would probably have found... quite fascinating.

I AM & FOREVER WILL BE YOUR FRIEND...!

[masonfisk · 7/10 · 5 July 2018]

A wonderful refection on Leonard Nimoy's career as told by the person who knew him the best, his son. We get material that we've seen before, stories we've heard before but by hearing it from Adam Nimoy's perspective, a telling closure is afforded to all involved.

"I have been, and always will be, your friend."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 13 October 2020]

I found this documentary to be a fitting companion piece to Leonard Nimoy's own autobiography titled "I Am Not Spock". Like many Star Trek fans, the character made famous by Nimoy happens to be my favorite from that series, and it's a tribute to all those connected with the show that it's influence and popularity endures for over fifty years since it went off the air. I got a kick out of the clip in which Nimoy reads the first review of Star Trek from the Hollywood bible, 'Variety' magazine, which stated that the show 'won't work'. I do recall those arguments by studio executives that the program was 'too cerebral', suggesting that it needed to be dumbed down to an audience that could understand it better. I just love it when real life intrudes on the biases people have when they think they know more than the average person. The things that made Spock, and thereby the show popular, were the things that appealed to viewers who could identify with it's characters and want to go on a journey with them. The one thing I was never aware of was the existence of these so called 'slash fantasy' fanzines that fantasized about a gay relationship between Captain Kirk and his science officer. I can understand it, even if the idea strikes me as surreal. Besides Nimoy's development of the Spock character, this doc goes on to describe his life after Star Trek and the personal issues he encountered with it's constant demands, which affected his family life. On screen appearances by his son Adam, who directed the film, siblings Mel and Sybil Nimoy, and a host of fellow actors from the TV series and subsequent movies, lend credence to the huge effect Nimoy had on fans and followers. It's a worthwhile documentary to experience if you're a Star Trek fan, and quite honestly, even if you're not.

What Would Star Trek Be Like Without Spock?

[strong-122-478885 · 6/10 · 12 March 2018]

(*Memorable "Spock" quote*) - "Live long and prosper."

If you l-o-v-e Spock (aka. Leonard Nimoy) - Then - You really gotta see "For the Love of Spock".

Nimoy had played the Spock character for 50 years - And, I think that you will agree with me - He portrayed his beloved alter-ego perfectly.

Through stills, rare film-footage, and interviews with both Nimoy family members and those who had worked around him - Nimoy is unanimously looked upon, by one and all, with the greatest of admiration and respect.

This intriguing and informative documentary is, indeed, a labour of love that was directed by Adam Nimoy, Leonard's grown son (who clearly shows a striking resemblance to his father).

*Note* - In 2015 - Leonard Nimoy (83 at the time) died from incurable lung disease.

Meekly going where we've been before...

[Catskilldogs · 5/10 · 10 September 2016]

This film should have been entitled 'For the Love of Leonard', for, in essence, it is director Adam Nimoy's eulogy to his late father. As such, the film is drenched in the sentimentality and nostalgia of a recently bereaved son. There's a whole lot of interview footage he conducts with the much missed actor's family, friends and colleagues and, unsurprisingly, no-one has a bad word to say about his dad. What they do say is, on the whole, trite and predictable. The broad strokes of Leonard's life and career are dutifully documented and, while this may hold some interest for anyone unfamiliar with his trajectory, it offers little that fans of Star Trek won't already know. We gain absolutely no insight into his relationships with Gene Roddenberry, Paramount or, especially, the cast and crew. His fractured friendship with William Shatner is never alluded to (Shatner himself appears for about 30 seconds), and Deforest Kelley and James Doohan are barely mentioned. Of the show's directors and writers there is hardly a peep (but we do get plenty of time with his sister-in-law).

But by far the film's most disappointing aspect is the treatment of the character of Spock himself, the apparent subject of the piece. Yes it covers the evolution of the ears, the nerve pinch, the Vulcan salute etc. and yes, there is some examination of his motivations, inner turmoil and the relationship with Kirk and McCoy. But there's no depth, no insight, no analysis of the growth of the character over time. Any discussion of particular scenes, episodes or films is fleeting and perfunctory. The cultural impact of Spock, and Star Trek in general, is also treated in a facile manner unrelated to any wider social context.

This film works as a fairly insipid memorial to Leonard Nimoy's life and work but disappointingly fails to offer anything else of substance.

It's good, but it has obvious flaws.

[M_Exchange · 8/10 · 8 September 2016]

I just left a screening that featured a Q&A with its director Adam Nimoy. I appreciate that Adam was amazingly candid and honest about his relationship with his father and their history together in the Q&A and in the film. There are issues that I'm having with MY father NOW that I would feel extremely uncomfortable about revealing to anyone, let alone a huge audience. I also love that the film included frank and candid remarks from Leonard Nimoy about his life and his fellow cast members. I really wanted MORE recent interviews with Leonard. As Adam stated during the Q&A, his father was alive for only the first few months of the filming for this documentary. I'm sorry to state that it suffered as a result. There was also far too much "Big Bang Theory" material. No offense to anyone who is on that show, but I didn't really care about their opinions. So the ten(?) minutes that is devoted to them is rather painful.

But aside from these flaws, it was a great way to spend the Star Trek fiftieth anniversary today. Thanks, Adam.

Its Mr not Dr!

[fostrhod · 8/10 · 30 April 2021]

A lovingly made documentary made by Adam Nimoy son of Leonard, about his father's life both in front and away from the camera. If you're a fan of Star Trek you will love it, if not you still will. Lots for Trekkies to enjoy.

Lots of great archive footage of Leonard, loved the clips of his wonderful pop career and all the lovely toys and ephemera.

The one think missing from the move and my major irritation with people who don't get Star Trek how annoying it is when people call Leonard Nimoy's character Dr Spock, it's not Dr it's Mr! Dr Spock was the other guy.

I had a date a first date a few years ago when my prospective object of desire went on incessantly about Star Wars and couldn't even contemplate any others views but her own, needless to say being a Star Trek fan the date went nowhere, I still tried to boldly go where I'd no man had gone before at the end of the night. I digress It's a lovely film and well worth a watch.

The Man And His Alter-Ego

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 18 November 2020]

Whether you happen to be a "Star Trek", or not - This "For The Love Of Spock" documentary is certain to spark your undivided interest and keep you watching from start to finish.

I think it goes without saying that Leonard Nimoy, as Spock, was a character who had quite rightfully earned his place in the realm of pop culture icons.

Brilliant

[nkishudak · 10/10 · 22 April 2020]

In generally gives a wonderful background of the whole cult around Star Trek. I got goosebumps during watching. Miss Leonard and his wisdom so much.

Don't look for some fannish shallow canonization here.

[oscar-35 · 25 October 2016]

*Spoiler/plot- For the Love of Spock, 2016. The film's focus began as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Star Trek: the Original Series, but after Leonard NImoy passed away in February 2015, his director son, Adam was ready to tell an additional private story: his personal experience growing up with Leonard Nimoy and "Mr. Spock". This documentary details the universal impact of Mr. Spock in our culture and the bumpy road of being the son of a 60's TV icon.

*Special Stars- Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, JJ Abrams, George Takei and many more of the Trek crew.

*Theme- Family must go on and family is important.

*Trivia/location/goofs- Adam Nimoy is a TV director, entertainment lawyer, and a documentarian. He soon is becoming a Trek TV show writer. I saw this fine film when Adam Nimoy showed it a a local Hebrew temple and stayed around for questions afterwards.

*Emotion- Don't look for some fannish shallow canonization of either Nimoy or Spock in this film. This is a more professional and well balanced film. A wonderful and even handed exploration of the Trek icon Mr. Spock and well themed positive film about family, forgiveness, and over coming adversity.

*Based On- Adam Nimoy's tribute to his creative and talented father and his father's Trek contributions.

A Loving, Insightful Tribute

[brentsbulletinboard · 7/10 · 5 August 2023]

OK, so where was I when this 2016 release came out? I usually stay on top of "Star Trek" content quite faithfully, but this documentary about the late actor Leonard Nimoy and his signature role as Mr. Spock completely flew under my radar. Directed by the actor's son Adam, this loving tribute to his dad and the character who became a global cultural icon presents a comprehensive look at the man both on- and offscreen. In addition to Nimoy's "Trek" connections, the film examines his acting work in other, lesser-known stage, screen and TV projects; his turn as a filmmaker on a number of feature offerings; his relationships with his fellow cast members; and his family life, including a candid look at his often-contentious and ultimately conciliatory connection with his son. Fans of the actor and his work will enjoy the many anecdotes related by those who knew and admired him, as well as many stories told by Nimoy himself in his own words from archive interview footage. There are a few disappointing oversights, however, such as a nearly complete absence of discussion regarding the big screen epic "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" (1991), a film in which Spock's character plays a pivotal role in the telling of that story, one that carried sweeping ramifications for the direction of the franchise thereafter. In addition, the documentary seems to soft-peddle the allegedly tense relationship between Nimoy and original series/feature film co-star William Shatner, an association that supposedly had its share of ups and downs over the years. Nevertheless, with plenty of fond memories from "Trek" collaborators like Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, George Takei, D. C. Fontana, Catherine Hicks, Chris Pine, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, J. J. Abrams and Nicholas Meyer, along with ample film clips and interview observations from admirers like Jim Parsons, Mayim Bialik, Jason Alexander and Neil deGrasse Tyson and from family members like his children Adam and Julie and his brother and sister-in-law Mel and Sybil, the film presents an otherwise-insightful look into the life of one of Hollywood's most beloved personalities and most readily recognizable characters. If you're as much of a fan as I am, be sure to watch this one. And, if so, you, too, may well live long and prosper.

A Life Well Lived

[int_53185 · 8/10 · 10 September 2016]

A full circle story of a man's life that started with family and ended with an extended family that he returned to and what mattered most to him at the end of his life. It's hard not to see yourself in this story with the very personal way that Adam tells his father's story. Adam not only reveals the popular persona that most of us know, but also the very personal side of Leonard and how his popular persona affected the family and Adam himself. Adam tells of how he cherished the rare time he spent with his dad and the hectic schedule Leonard kept with not only the series but also personal appearances. There are short snippets of Adam's life and career and how supportive his dad was when he wanted to change careers. I was waiting for that tearful interview with Mr. Shatner, but sadly that never came. Leonard not only gave us a beloved character in Spock, but also an example of how to live life well and explore new things and not settle for something that doesn't make you happy, for that becomes just a "job." LLAP

It couldn't be perfect... but...

[Snootz · 8/10 · 24 January 2018]

The problem with making this kind of documentary is that it is discussing the entire lifetime of a very popular and well-known person. On top of that we have the character he played. Even at nearly two hours it seems to only scratch the surface of anything.

Although titled "For the Love of Spock" this documentary is more about Leonard Nimoy than it is Spock. A great deal is discussed about Nimoy himself and his relationships, but what really stands out here is what is largely missing: the evolution of the Spock character (touched on but lots untouched), Nimoy's period of disillusionment with the character ("I Am Not Spock"... given only "cameo portrait" here), why he returned to loving and embracing the character, his major achievements outside the Star Trek role, etc etc.

No matter how hard this documentary may try, it simply could not cover it all. This could be a miniseries, each part discussing a certain aspect of Nimoy and/or the Spock character.

But as it stands, this documentary helps us gain some insight into Nimoy (which I'm sure was the primary interest of viewers), was strikingly honest in its portrayal (the director himself, Nimoy's son, admitting major flaws in his relationship with Leonard... a fairly gutsy thing to do), and brief but earnest interviews with those closest to Leonard. I'm sure there is a TON of information they had to discard in this... enough to make several more documentaries.

I personally find it sad that this couldn't have been kept to a family-friendly format. A couple of F-bombs and some nude photos aren't all that unusual these days and most kids have probably seen far worse on the Net... but still one wishes directors would show just a bit more wisdom in creating something that is appropriate for ALL ages... especially something like this, which may be of some historical interest.

So while not perfect (how could it be?) it is still a well-done documentary. What it does cover it covers well, and it attempts to be as diverse as possible within a less-than-2-hour time slot. There's only so much that one can do when documenting such a complex person and such a diverse and outstanding career.

The one point it made that honed in best with my take on this: if we were to point at one single character that has shaped our modern world and propelled millions of people to accept science fiction as mainstream rather than the "nerd genre" it was once considered... it would be Spock. Yes, Star Trek itself and Nimoy was only part of that history-making concept. But the role of Spock was pivotal; that role was created by Roddenberry and then re-created by Nimoy. It wasn't until the advent of Star Wars some 9 years later that science fiction gained respect and went mainstream. During that time Star Trek was serialized and prepared an international audience for mainstream acceptance of science fiction. I saw that happen, over night, and it was very impressive.

But this review isn't about the Spock character, or Nimoy himself. It's about this documentary and whether or not it was well-done and successful. I think within the limited scope of what it could present in the time slot allotted, yes it was very well done. Had it been 6 hours long, totally family-friendly and covered more of the Spock phenomena, I may have easily given it 10 stars.

What was chosen as content ruined this for me

[AlsExGal · 4/10 · 1 September 2018]

This was a tribute film by his son, Adam Nimoy. At best the film uses film clips, Leonard's voice over and letters to tell his story of a talented hard working actor.

Most interesting aspects covered are already well known to Trekkies, such as Nimoy's contribution to the charactor of Spock including the "mind meld" the "Vulcan taser" the hand greeting and even his delivery of "fascinating". Some of the most fun clips are from Shatner's 2001 film MIND MELD where both stars reminisce together. Nimoy's personal life and his other very successful roles are also covered. It's fun seeing the real man just being a regular person instead of the charactor as we all know him.

What really ruins this film is the endless musings and opinions of others that do not contribute to Leonard Nimoy's story. It seems like any random celebrity who agreed to be interviewed was included, like....Jason Alexander? Really?

Sure, Nimoy's brilliant portrayal of Spock was the role of a lifetime and propelled his career into our consciousness & popular culture. But to interview every distant celebrity that "Spock" influenced wastes a lot of precious screen time, loses focus on Nimoy the person and becomes a real bore. Even the actor who plays a "young" Spock in the new movie franchise is given "opinion" screen time.

How could a Kickstarter film look THIS good and this professional?!

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 10 December 2016]

As I watched, I started to realize that this was no ordinary fan film but was instead one of the most incredibly well made biographical documentaries I'd ever seen. The closest thing to it was the amazing documentary on Roger Ebert, Life Itself (2014). And, because of that, the film has appeal for everyone…not just Trekkers, Trekkies and the like.

The driving force behind this film is Leonard Nimoy's son, Adam. Adam had envisioned making a film about just the Spock character but later decided to also make it about his father as well…particularly since Leonard had just died. However, Adam didn't have the money to make the film and did what many indie filmmakers do today—he started a Kickstarter campaign. Now considering this, you would expect the resulting film to be cheap…really, really cheap. And this is what really shocked me about the film, as it was anything but cheap. In fact, it looked as if the documentary cost many millions to make. All the clips from the original Star Trek show were gorgeously remastered and vividly colored and it's obvious that Adam was able to get the studio to give him access to these clips. But, more importantly, the number of stars from the Trek franchise in the film was incredible— and not just from the original show but the new movies as well. It also helped that the film features much of the narration by Leonard as well as some nice clips of the man as he talks about his life, his family and legacy.

As far as the film goes, it's part biography of Leonard Nimoy, part the history of the Spock character as well as healthy doses of the family life of Nimoy…a family life that was, sadly, rather rocky until his later years. But, and this is what I really enjoyed, there was redemption for him and his estranged children and grandchildren… which leads to the part of the film where you really do need to brace yourself and have some Kleenex handy. I found myself shedding a few tears as Adam and his sister revealed how estranged this relationship had been as well as the efforts made to repair it…as well as Adam's sad second marriage. As I said, this part is tough to watch—but ultimately very satisfying.

I score this movie a 10, something I almost never do. This is because like the Ebert film I mentioned, it was not just some superficial biography but a deep look into who the person was. It also features absolutely amazing special effects and is a quality production throughout. Clearly it's a must-see for Trek fans but anyone could enjoy and learn from this slickly produced film. One of the best films of the year and a movie that just debuted with Netflix's streaming service.

Awesome

[davepolain64 · 10/10 · 25 November 2021]

First thing you should know - I'm a Trek fan.

Loved the interviews and the inside take on all of this.

The father-son relationship between Leonard and Adam were new to me and quite emotional and sometimes even a bit raw for me.

I'm so glad I pressed Play for this video.

A loving documentary about Leonard Nimoy, focusing on his Spock persona

[siderite · 8/10 · 15 October 2020]

This is a very light and bird's eye view of the person that Leonard Nimoy was: Star Trek, some other stuff, everybody loved him, he died, the end. It makes one sympathise and feel good, especially since it is a documentary started with him and then continued after his death by the producer: Adam Nimoy, his son. There is something emotional about a son researching and creating this living eulogy to his father that touches people. Yet, I have also read Adam Nimoy's book "My Incredibly Wonderful, Miserable Life: An Anti-Memoir", which I thought was more personal, closer to the truth and putting the reader into that unenviable position that the son was put in: son of a beloved celebrity, desperately needing his father's attention and looking up to him for the very same reason that keeps him away.

Bottom line: casual Star Trek fans will enjoy this. People will get how pleasant a person Leonard Nimoy was and maybe understand why Shatner was so annoyed with him on set. But the actual person that Nimoy was is not revealed by this documentary. It's a painfully external outlook on his person, without the important part, his inner life. The best option is to read his son's book, which is also not intimate enough. Worth the watch, though.