Tony Robbins: I am Not Your Guru Special Review

Tony Robbins: I am Not Your Guru (2016)

Watch Tony Robbins: I am Not Your Guru on Netflix
Directed by: Joe Berlinger
Starring: Tony Robbins 
Rated: --/R

Plot:
This Netflix original documentary depicts a few interactions between patrons and life coach Tony Robbins.

Verdict:
It's not that it's bad, but I just expected more. The take away is that Tony Robbins is great. It doesn't get into his backstory much, and it just restates how great he is at changing people's lives. We don't even get insight from Tony about what he does and how he does, no rival opinions on his methods, it's a two hour commercial.
Skip it.

Review:
This has an intriguing hook. Robbins coaches all kind of famous people. How does he live? What does he do? We never get an answer to these questions.

Robbins can read people really well and he's blunt. Most of his coaching is tough love. Through visual queues he can deduce how people feel, even if they don't realize it. Body language relays a lot of information and Robbins picks up on all of it. He also listen, and many times that's what people want. They want somebody that cares. It also helps that he's huge. He's an imposing figure.

What he does is interesting, but this doesn't go behind the scenes. We don't get much insight into Robbins and no insight into how he does what he does. You can't deny he helps people, but it's deceptively simple. He points out people's strengths and weakness, providing a supportive environment. There is nothing mind blowing. He's in essence has a live advice column. This almost seems like a ruse, but often you need somebody to put you in your place and point you in the right direction.

Tony Robbins: I am Not Your Guru - A two hour commercial.

This documentary never talks to Tony about his insight and how he makes his deductions. The only behind the scenes sequences are Tony prepping for the show. Tony is not a psychologist, yet there is no opposing of affirming viewpoint of a professional. Tony never had to defend his methods or his frequently aggressive behavior. Avoiding these questions is what makes this feel like a commercial.

It's an amazing look at the group mentality. People share personal details they would never usually share because they know it's expected and a giant man tells them to. Tony is great at reading people and deciphering their emotional complexities. I would definitely watch a documentary that delves into the hows. Sure, he realizes people crave acceptance and attention, but this feels like it's by Tony for Tony.

He's not without controversy. He had a fire walking seminar a few years ago where people walked over hot coals. This is a very narrow view that seemingly only covers one seminar.