spunkyexplorations I have to admit that this doc was a pleasing experience - while at the same time acknowledging this documentary isn't for everyone. I had no idea there was a real "Burt" behind Burt's bees, much less that he was so fascinating and strange. A true eccentric. I also had no idea that there was a romance, intrigue, and drama behind the story. Or that Burt had a fan base. This is a story about an odd man, and the odd things that happened to him, and how this became a huge brand. If you buy the products, it'll give what you buy an interesting dimension. Assuming you want to buy it again after you see this!

thegirlthefilm The film itself is a profile on Burt, the face, the man, the co-founder behind Burt's Bees. I enjoyed getting to know Burt and his love for nature, his dog, and his simple life. I myself don't think Burt is a complex man, but someone who does not buy into the corporate "crap" that Roxanne, his ex-partner/business partner has turned the company into. This film does a good job of juxtaposing Burt's relaxed composure to the corporate culture: neatness, bright energetic smiles, superficiality. I actually felt quite uncomfortable watching Burt in such environments. At times I felt sad for Burt. He looked displaced, detached and indifferent to the promotional tours/events; meanwhile, his counterparts are smiling wide as can be, nodding to everything he says, and ooohing and aweing to his every response. We understand very clearly that while he stands behind his brand, it has become another commodity on the market that he wants nothing to do with.But alas, this film is not about the company but about the man.

torbi-2 I had high hopes, being that I'm a Mainer (who can relate to the quirky Mainer personality types) and a long-time user of Burt's Bees products. My aesthetic is similar—I like graphic design that is simple, yet slightly old-fashioned looking; I like products that are all-natural. But this documentary left me with more questions than I came in with (not knowing anything about the history of the company, I wanted to learn why they felt Burt warranted his own documentary). First, I think it suffered from the narrative thread—I wish it was told more linearly (start with early days of the company rather than hitting the audience with Burt's Taiwanese groupies in the first 2 minutes). Burt is quirky, but this doc doesn't give you enough—there is no coda, there is no real mention of the current company's owners (Clorox), there is no mention of why Roxanne declined to participate (or if they even asked her to), Burt's manservant (or "majordomo" as he is credited) who is he, who pays him and why is he there? There are themes I wish they explored deeper: how does Burt feel about his image being on all these products, products that no longer follow his original vision. What does the son really feel about the situation (he seems to be doing the most diplomatic of answers to all his questions). here are some heart-warming moments: Burt and his dog singing together over Skype, Burt telling Taiwanese investors "we need to separate our needs from our wants", but overall this doc needs more.

texastay Burt seems like an interesting person but I think there is a lot more to the Burts Bees story than this documentary lets on.The other founder of Burts Bees, Roxanne does not appear in this documentary so the entire premise of this documentary feels very one sided and you feel like you're not getting the whole truth.In the film they explain how Burt lost millions of dollars for signing a contract and leaving the company behind and the director seems like he wants you to feel sorry for Burt, but then we learn that Burt cheated on his girlfriend/business partner Roxanne with a much younger woman so it's hard to have sympathy for Burt. The film doesn't really get into all the details about Burt and Roxanne's relationship but I feel like that would be a much more interesting story than just hearing the one sided version from Burt.