Story
Who are you, Charlie Brown is a film documentary directed by Michael Bonfiglio and narrated by Lupita Nyong’o. This movie is a look into the life of Charles Schulz, the man responsible for creating the Peanuts comic strip. We see where and how most of the iconic characters he made came from, such as Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Peppermint Patty, or more. We also have a story intercut within the Documentary of Charlie Brown needing to do a homework assignment on who he is as he tries to answer the self-observing question.
Full thoughts and Review of Who are You Charlie Brown?
Growing up, another of many things I loved Is Peanuts. I liked them mainly for Snoopy, the iconic beagle that always makes me smile and laugh, no matter how many times I’ve seen the cartoons, comics, or various holiday specials released throughout the years. Over time, I’ve grown to learn and understand the other Peanuts characters and what they represent to the series. Apple released a documentary highlighting the life of Charles Schulz, the man who created the Peanuts comic strip and made this worldwide phenomenon.
The Documentary has a Peanuts cartoon where Charlie Brown must figure out who he is. I enjoyed this short.
Who are you Charlie Brown covers all of Schulz’s life. There aren’t too many controversies or negative moments cover in this Documentary, only the positive moments and highlights of his career. I’m OK with this decision. I can’t picture any negativity in Peanuts as it’s one of the happier highlights of me growing up. There is enough covered in the fifty-five-minute feature. If your a Peanuts fan and already know about the history of Charles Schulz, there isn’t anything new here for you. This Documentary is made for newcomers to the series and continues enough knowledge to understand The Peanuts and Charles Schulz.
There are a couple of celebrities that offer their take and inspiration of Peanuts. Some stars I recognized the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ira Glass, and Paul Feig. I get the need for celebrities, but why not have an individual that worked along with Charles Schultz during that time in comics? There is Lynn Johnston, creator of For Better or For Worse, that I recognize. But she is the only comic creator I knew. There are others, but I didn’t know who they were. The Peanuts ended its run in 2000, but I’m sure some comic creators of his era are still around to talk about him, like Jim Davis or Bill Waterson. It’s kind of weird to see someone like Kevin Smith talking about Peanuts. I like Kevin Smith, but he doesn’t come across as someone to be in the Documentary.
In between showing the Documentary, we get what I feel is, like a lost episode of The Snoopy Show, where Charlie Brown has to complete an assignment about who he is due in a week. Charlie Brown talks to the other Peanut Characters about who he is. These scenes are intercut with the Documentary. It helps give the context of the characters to the Documentary as they are introduced. It can feel forced at times, but this Documentary is geared for newcomers to the series.
I feel the creepiest fact about Charles Schulz is that he died on Feb 12, 2000. The day the final Peanuts strip ran in newspapers.
Summarized thoughts and review of Who are You Charlie Brown?
Who are you Charlie Brown is an excellent quick look into Charles Schulz’s life. It’s a nice, gentle, and humble look into the life of a man whose personalities are intertwined into Charlie Brown and most of the Peanut characters he created. At times, this Documentary felt like an episode of The Snoopy Show that got cut into this film. Both could stand as two episodes instead of an hour-long movie. There isn’t anything new that Peanuts fans who followed Charles Schulz’s life will discover or find anything fascinating. But it’s a good look for new fans to understand the man who brought us one of the most iconic comic strips of all time.
Tom Moscato's Blog 