Still Bill (2009) User Reviews

A subtle documentary about an unique and brilliant musician

[edwardhblake · 9/10 · 13 February 2010]

If you're a fan of Bill Withers, you'll truly appreciate this in depth and personal documentary. It focuses primarily on his life and achievements at the age of 70, but it also revisits his past and how events and people shaped him and who he is today. Withers is amazingly funny and wise - full of life lessons that shouldn't be missed.

If I had a complaint about the documentary (or why I wouldn't give it a 10/10) I would say that some of the material ventures into overly sentimental themes but that's not easy to avoid.

After seeing it, I immediately began rooting through my music collection to find my Bill Withers material.

Bill Withers taught me to be true to myself

[lostabos · 8/10 · 20 June 2017]

My first introduction to the music of Bill Withers was the song "Lean On Me". I would not exactly say that it was my all time favorite song but the song in itself struck a chord with me. I had no idea who the mastermind behind the song until certain years later. I only first came to know of the name Bill Withers as a result of having become a hardcore soul fan since 2002. It was only through my soul music journey that I decided to buy his 1981 Greatest Hits CD over 10 years ago.I am proud to say that I still have the CD to this very day. It was then that I could perhaps say that I was formally introduced to the singer that sang and wrote songs such as "Ain't No Sunshine", "Lovely Day" and so forth.

Although the documentary may have come out eight years ago, I did not think much about it until recently. I am not certain as to what drove me to watch the documentary yesterday evening but it allowed me to gain a glimpse of who this man really was and how did not give into the system. I would not wish to say that Bill Withers is a pop star in the true sense of the word but he did not put fame above his principles. That is why I believe God has blessed this man with so many years. May God continue to bless him as his nearing 80. There are not many of his caliber that can actually stand up for what they believe in. I wish that the current crop of musicians can learn from this wonderful man.

If there is perhaps one thing that "Still Bill" has taught me is to be true to myself. I do not have to owe anyone any apology to the principles for which I stand. Of course, this is not to say that Mr. Withers was a perfect man in any sense of the term. He also did make mistakes along the way but this should not detract from the fact that the morale behind this 78-minute film is we need to know who we are, where we come from and what we stand for. Mr. Withers exemplified these virtues mentioned here. I specifically recommend it to anyone who may have not heard the name Bill Withers before. It gives you a perspective of the man behind the songs that we often sing in our showers, kitchens, cars, churches or even when we walk alone in the street. It is never a documentary you would simply want to watch once and forget about it. I am actually going to watch it again after this review. There is a lot we can learn from the one of the last living soul legends of the 20th century.

Wonderful, up-beat documentary about a man who was and is true to himself

[runamokprods · 9/10 · 11 September 2011]

Delightful, short, but insightful documentary about the great 70s and 80s R+B icon Bill Withers, who wrote and sang such great hits as 'Ain't No Sunshine' and 'Lean on Me'.

It's a portrait of a wonderfully strong yet gentle and likable man, who refused to bend to record company creative demands, even though it might have cost him fame and money, and who simply walked away from the music business when it was no longer something he wanted to deal with.

Now at age 70, he dispenses wonderfully wise and witty aphorisms, and still works on music, but for himself, not the world. He's also open enough to question whether his lack of ambition is a good or bad thing – although on evidence he seems about as happy and well adjusted a man as you could find, loving his family, helping stuttering kids (he suffered with the same problem through much of his early life), and enjoying the creative process itself as an end, not a means.

Quiet, simply filmed, this documentary made me feel good about life, and immediately want to go order a CD of Wither's greatest hits.

Bill Is Still Bill (still is Bill, still...or is he?)

[druid333-2 · 10/10 · 21 March 2010]

For anybody who grew up listening to & loving soul music in the 1970's, this film is well worth seeking out. It concerns Bill Withers,who had a long string of chart hits,from his signature "Ain't No Sunshine" (which opens the film),"Grandma's Hands","Lean On Me",and others. In 1985, Bill decided to end his career in the music industry (but he never stopped writing or playing music---just for his own pleasure). We get first hand accounts from Mr. Withers,himself on life,love & just why he stepped down from the limelight. We are treated to various clips of Bill (mostly from television appearances)playing snippets from his hits,in conversation with Tavis Smiley & Cornell West,and kudos from the likes of Angelique Kidjo,Sting & others. Damani Baker & Alex Vlack co direct this ever so fine portrait of a man who preferred family over success. I guess my only issue with this film is that it's somewhat short (it clocks in at a scant 78 minutes). I know I had the same issue with the recently released 'Soul Power' (which for me could have been a good three hours,as there was boat loads of talent playing at that festival). Short running time aside, this film is still worth checking out,if you love soul music. Not rated by the MPAA,this film contains a naughty word or two,but has nothing else to offend.

heading out for wonderful

[SteveSkafte · 8/10 · 31 March 2011]

"Still Bill" is pretty straightforward and to the point. Taking its title from Bill Withers' second album, this documentary builds a subtle, deeply human portrayal of an incredibly wise and honest individual. By the time the film ends, you feel as if you've walked beside the man, seen and felt everything that ever really meant something to him. Bill feels at home with the camera. Not in the sense that he plays to it, but in the way he approaches it without so much as acknowledging its presence. "Still Bill" leaves you with a sense of pure observation. You're walking with him, sitting there and talking with him, and listening to him speak. This film is perfect for what it is.

Moving and inspiring

[ranakatan · 9/10 · 14 February 2011]

I'll make it short and simple: If you want to watch a well done documentary, you've come to the right place. This film is very delicately crafted and grades highly on many aspects. First of all, the soundtrack of the movie is, as expected, simply beautiful. As a musician myself, I can only admire some of the scenes where you can just see the pure talent Bill possesses. Asides from that, it is an inspiring film about the human nature and the struggling journey of one individual through life, seeking recognition and later on - knowing just when to stop. I didn't know Bill Withers' biography prior to watching this and was very intrigued to learn about his life and insights (lets just say that he was a very very late bloomer). I give it a 9 out of 10, if only because it was such a delightful surprise, as I didn't know what to expect.

Touching Documentary on Withers

[Michael_Elliott · 22 February 2012]

Still Bill (2009)

*** (out of 4)

Candid documentary about soul singer Bill Weather's who is best known today for the classics "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine" but just as his career was taking off he decided to leave the business and take care of his family. This is a pretty fascinating documentary on many levels but the biggest is probably just the fact that everyone knows a song like "Lean on Me" yet they might not realize who sings it or whatever happened to him. This documentary runs 78-minutes and it really tries to explain what Withers has been up to in the twenty-three years since his last album. Withers discusses why he walked away from the business, the issues he had being popular and we also learn some darker things including his work with stuttering children, which he was one of when he was younger. In the film's most touching moment Withers is being honored for his work with stuttering kids and he finally breakdowns, which is extremely heartfelt and especially his message for the kids. We also deal with his music as he explains what he has been up to all these years and we also hear from his daughter who herself was trying to get into music. The cameras are also there as Withers plans on getting back in the studio for a Spanish song. Fans of Withers are certainly going to enjoy seeing this look at his life because you really do get a great idea of who the man is and it's clear that he has a certain integrity that would be hard to find in the business. The way he just walked away from the money and spotlight because he didn't have anything to say can be greatly admired as is the work he does for those who suffered as he did as a child. We get clips from live performances, TV shows as well as a tribute concert. STILL BILL still leaves a few questions unanswered and at times it goes slightly off the rails but this is still an impressive film worth watching.

Bill Withers Shines in, "Still Bill"

[ktinsley-574-411560 · 10/10 · 5 November 2009]

There is plenty of sunshine when this film is on. We have all heard his music, no matter what age you are, and sing along to his songs. This film is about the life of 70's musician, Bill Withers. I really loved this film because it gives a history of this mans life. In other words, its not all about his music. But more about the after math of a successful music career gone limp after a few years. The film captures Bill as he is now and then takes you back to when he was most famous. Sting makes a guest appearance in the film. Sting is always nice to see. I really liked the archival footage. I felt like the images really took me back to the moments of the 70's/80's. I mostly liked watching the way Bill interacted with his daughter who, by the way, is a talented singer like her dad. Still Bill is clean fun and such an important film to see because singers from his time will not be around forever.

Intimate Portrait Of A Seventies Music Legend

[Jimmy_the_Gent4 · 9/10 · 9 July 2017]

I saw this in a New York independent film theater when it was first released.

I knew Bill Wither's hit songs of era but knew nothing of his private life. He comes across in this doc as a laid back southern gentleman. He left the music business, seemingly by choice. He is content to spend time with his family and occasionally dabble in making music when the mood hits him. Some of the best moments show him visiting his old home town in West Virginia and reminiscing with a childhood friend. A funny scene shows him talking about his job making toilets for 747s, which he speaks about with as much pride as he did his songwriting. What is refreshing about this is that he seems to be saying take pride in your work no matter what. There is an encounter with Dr Cornell West and Tavis Smiley, two black commentators and activists. They try to get Withers to talk about not "selling out", but Bill will have none of that, he just says even if you own a furniture store, the best sign you can have is "Sold Out". Withers also mentions that women did not find him handsome until he became famous, he wasn't able to get women while making 3 dollars a hour!

Withers reveals he was a stutterer when he was young, and there is a moving sequence where he speaks to children with the same problem. There is later a wonderful scene where his daughter sings a hypnotic blues song she composed herself, she clearly inherited his musical talent and has a lovely voice. By this time, we are wondering if we will get to hear Withers himself sing again, and the last scenes finally show him on stage at a tribute where he gives us his classic "Grandma's Hands"

Definitely a must see for anyone interested in 70's music and if you want to see a nice guy not finish last for once.

A example to anyone

[beresfordjd · 9/10 · 23 March 2012]

This guy, Bill Withers, is an example of how to be happy with yourself and your life. He is serene, content and relaxed with who and what he is and his place in popular culture. he has written a few absolutely classic popular songs and seems unaware of just how good he is and they are. He imparts a lesson to his contemporaries and his admirers of how to conduct a career. Do good work and sit back and relax about it. His modesty is in no way false or disingenuous , it is just the way he is. Withers is the genuine article and he comes across as someone you would like to spend time with given the chance. He seems incredibly wise and in tune with himself. His assessment of the "suits" he encountered when he went looking for a record deal is straight to the point and razor-sharp accurate. I love that he has a low-key but comfortable life due to the superb catalogue of great songs with which he has graced the world. This is one of the best documentaries about a musician and his life I have seen.

A boss, a legend, yet so unknown

[errorist · 9/10 · 29 July 2023]

Since I was a child I was fascinated by the songs, and the voice, of Bill Whiters. Now that I'm much older I started to appreciate him even more as a person who simply does what he believes is best for himself. If that means leaving fame and fortune behind, ignoring cries of fans and musicians alike, he will just do that. And he phrases it in a way that fully justifies what he did. I was pleasantly surprised by the happy ending of this documentary, without spoiling too much. The only thing lacking in this documentary in my opinion was a lack in his musical background. I would have loved to hear which artists inspired him, what music he listened to. Other then that, a rare documentary of a very remarkable and talented person.

Heard his music but didn't know how great he was.

[allanmichael30 · 8/10 · 3 April 2020]

After watching this it explains why, he gave up fame. The way he could tap into his emotions and write some amazing songs was spectacular. I never stutter, but had trouble reading and felt pain similar to his stuttering and can now read. The problems is society is so quick to judge. The sound of his voice was so calming and every word sounds like his telling a story and i just want to listen.