Watch Oliver Sacks: His Own Life

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life is a poignant documentary film that tells the story of Dr. Oliver Sacks, a renowned British neurologist and author who had a profound impact on the scientific community and the general public. Directed by Ric Burns, the film explores Sacks' life and career, from his childhood in England to his long and prolific career as a doctor and writer in America. The movie features interviews with Sacks himself, as well as with those who knew and worked with him, including Roberto Calasso, a close friend and colleague, and Kate Edgar, his editor and friend.

The film is structured around the last few years of Sacks' life, during which he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. As Sacks comes to terms with his own mortality, he reflects on his life and career, revisiting the people and places that played a significant role in shaping his intellectual and emotional development. The film follows Sacks as he travels to London to visit his childhood home, and to California, where he reconnects with some of his former students and collaborators.

Throughout the film, we see Sacks as a multifaceted figure, embodying both the brilliance and the flaws that often come with being a highly creative and driven individual. Through his groundbreaking work in neurology, Sacks challenged conventional ideas about the human mind and body, working tirelessly to understand and help those with neurological disorders. But Sacks was also a deeply flawed man, struggling with his own demons and battling addiction for much of his life.

The film is deeply emotional and at times intensely personal, and it offers a deep and moving portrait of a man who lived his life with passion, transformation, and a commitment to understanding and exploring the human experience. Through interviews with Sacks' friends, family, and colleagues, we get a sense of the profound impact he had on those around him, and of the enduring legacy he left behind.

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life is a beautifully crafted and deeply felt tribute to a remarkable man, conveying both the brilliance and the complexity of his life and work. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of following one's passions, of striving to understand the world around us, and of the transformative power of human connection.

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 82.