Celine Dion is an iconic global artist. She has been referred to as the Queen of Power Ballads or the Priestess of Pop, amongst other vivid descriptions. Even if you’re not her biggest admirer, how have you not come across at least one of her tracks, especially the record setting My Heart Will Go On from Titanic, if you’re not in the know about her work. Ever since her times when she began her career, this Canadian singer has become an integral part of my life. In 2022, however, the report came in that she suffers from stiff person syndrome, an autoimmune disease that I had otherwise never heard of. Stiff person syndrome is an unusual neurological condition that is believed to only affect around one or two per million populations.
Perhaps it is best to view her as an outstanding vocal performer who has fully conquered the world stage, rather than an artist who is rumored in the western regions. Perhaps it was meant to be that all of her audience had begun to slash authentic relationships with her over twitter or similar social media platforms, where she resided constantly. Yes, this is the type of interaction I recommend. It was touching to see a glimpse of their mundane lives, and this truthfulness about Miss Dion’s appearances enabled me to feel much calmer as she had granted filmmaker Irene Taylor such leniency during some of the hardest times of her life.
The documentary is a real tear jerker, featuring clips of Dion in a silence unable to either speak or move as a rescue team is called, which tugs at the heartstrings, and lovely old videos of the pop star performing on stage in Las Vegas dressed in a fancy costume and singing a ballad. She appears comfortable in an enormous arena packed with thousands of devoted fans who, during this time when the singer is not able to stage concerts, should be sick of her. But then again, it is vice versa, for Dion did not conceal the fact that she dead misses performing and interacting with her lovers.
I am is not just a documentary that seeks to worship its subject, and there is more to the film than cinematizing Dion’s glorious abode. This film, while showcasing the glorious moments of Dion, has set itself apart in portraying the helpless of an illustrious performer. I have seen her gagging hopelessly in pain, hoping for a moment to come when a shot would be fired and MPC and others would have to stop messing with her. Winning praise, Dion lets her audience look in on her bad days, when all she could do was struggle for a note only struggle not even have words to sing. To most people it wouldn’t be so important, but to someone like Celine it must be so excruciating because her entire self esteem, her being is defined by her singing.
Who can forget the hugs that Dion managed to give her twin boys? The cameras also got to join her as she was sifting through memories of when she was on the road endlessly with one specific costume that she brought from storage and wore on stage. These pieces manage to capture a woman who demonstrates force over the direction of her work and her finished product, her exceptional commanding presence and love for performing.
The film attempts to depict her humor which remained even when she fell sick. Music video of Deadpool 2 which featured the song ash also appeared. She wants to be asked to perform at a 5 or 6. When told to phone it in, she unleashed her falsetto and stated Listen; this thing goes only to 11, so beat it Spider Man!’ Ha!
There are very few people who can be considered to have iconic status especially such an amazing performer like her, but it is fitting to call her an iconic superstar. Kudos to Dion and the filmmakers for creating awareness about SPS. It makes me appreciate her a lot more and wish her all the best for her comeback, which I hope will happen because I am looking forward to it.
For more movies I Am: Celine Dion visit 123Movies.