Bezos (2023) User Reviews

Poor acting

[raquelaraujo-72692 · 4/10 · 25 February 2023]

I was shocked to see that of all the ways Bezos could have showed his story to the world, this was the one he'd chosen.

The story isn't bad, of course, but the movie seems to be so poorly executed, from how it was directed, written and the acting.

The film talks about how Amazon started, from its very beginning. The nice part is to see his ex wife's input in the very early days, the amount of dedication they put into transforming an ideia into the company that it is today and the difficulties they faced. No doubt it is an inspiring story.... Just it was surprising to me that it seemed like a very low budget, weird project.

Interesting story, horrible acting and directing

[er_ouz · 6/10 · 10 May 2023]

This slow paced movie tells the story of how Jeff Bezos founded Amazon. While rhe story itself is increadibly flat, it did manage to keep me interested throughout the movie, knowing how big Bezos and Amazon will become.

The production value of the movie is very low, but that's not the biggest problem for a character driven drama. The real problem is horrible acting and directing. Some moments seem taken from a Hallmark movie from the 90s, and many other moments are robotic and staged.

Overall it's a pretty weak film, but can be useful to pass the time on a slow night in, when you might be too tired to watch anything actually engaging.

I can see this getting review bombed to hell...

[sibukyze · 6/10 · 26 January 2023]

... by people who've only watched the trailer.

I can understand where they're coming from and where they're going, and I'd like to respond to them preemptively - it's not as good as all the 10/10s, and it's not as bad as all the 1/10s.

It's ... surprisingly (surprisingly for a movie made by a company about said company's owner) well made. Not really a piece of propaganda (though "I made a movie about myself see how self-critical and honest I am" is also a common piece of propaganda).

I can see why it's not interesting enough to catch your eye, and definitely not something you'll not want to talk to your friends about (definitely not something you will tweet about saying how much you like it ) and it's an easy target for the look-at-how-cool-I-am-because-I-hate-it kind of people. I'd like to say, if you feel curious, it's worth your curiosity. I didn't say it's worth your time, I said it's worth your curiosity.

Pointless hagiography of Jeff Bezos on his own platform

[bnitcamela · 2/10 · 27 January 2023]

First off, this was not a good film. Nothing new here at all for anyone who's watched TV like Silicon Valley and other startup related content. The direction is clumsy and flawed and there isn't enough interesting going on to make it worth watching. Of course if you want to learn how Jeff Bezos thinks of himself and his life, by all means watch this movie because it beats spending days reading a book on the topic.

But there is nothing adversarial at all going on here either. In order to become a multi-billionaire and own a monopolistic corporation like Amazon, many people and small businesses have to be hurt along the way, not to mention the environment. What would have made this movie interesting would have been the portrayal of how Bezos personally dealt with issues like overworked employees, the unionization (or attempts) of various warehouse/distro facilities, the lobbying efforts and countless dollars spent buying US government representatives and senators, the foray by Amazon's hosting and data divisions into extra-constitutional government surveillance of Americans by way of taxpayer funded contracts with the Defense Department/Pentagon/NSA, the way Bezos decided how to game a lot of Amazon sellers out of revenue through various algorithmic quackery or straight up ripping off ideas (one wonders if Bezos had any role in the Amazon Basics brand that offers knockoffs of already fine products), etc.

Instead we get a hagiography with a little nod thrown in for his ex-wife. We don't get to learn why he decided to become "buff" or the efforts he is making in biological sciences/cybernetics/etc. To try to live forever, his competition with Elon Musk regarding the aforementioned government contracts, the race to mars, or any of it.

Two word summary of this movie: Pointless Hagiography.

The Basement Tapes

[nogodnomasters · 2/10 · 31 January 2023]

The film starts from the time Bezos (Armando Gutierrez) and his wife MacKenzie (Alex Mitchell) worked for D. E. Shaw (Marcus Lemonis), We are told Bezos was the youngest VP the company ever had several times. It ends with his first book sale in Seattle.

This is a sanitized version of the Bezos story, no doubt. We discovered it was a process to get to the name of the company. The CEO of Barnes & Noble (Kevin Sorbo) appears in the film so they could make him look bad. Most likely that is why they had Sorbo play him. The acting was horrible at best. Armando Gutierrez lacked facial expressions no matter who was yelling at him. He ignored his wife as bad as he ignored the audience. With all that music on Amazon to choose from, you would think they would come up with a decent soundtrack. It too was the pits. The cinematography was bad as most of the film took place in a basement and generally shot from just one angle. You don't need to know the story this bad.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.

Low Production Value

[peytonandjolie · 3/10 · 19 March 2023]

I was very interested in watching this and expected it to be much better.

It took me 3 or 4 sessions to get through it, because my wife and kids kept complaining about how horrible it was, meaning, I had to watch it when they weren't in the room.

From the writing, the directing, the music, the editing, the pacing, to the performances by the actors, everything comes across like a "no budget" student film, which is disappointing, when you consider that there were other "limited location" movies to look to as examples,... GlenGarry Glen Ross, Talk Radio, 12 angry men, etc..

All of which that were able to create more entertaining and note worthy films, out of much smaller and more contained stories.

So many missed opportunities.

Disappointing and Embarrassing

[angluvsun · 2/10 · 8 July 2023]

I struggle with how a man worth over $150 BILLION has a low budget movie made about him. It's disappointing and embarrassing. This movie should have had "A" list actors and actresses, popular music from that era, and more depth to the plot. Maybe I'm just not aware of the dynamics between billionaires and Hollywood...is there a "don't cross this line" between them or something? I would imagine that they rub elbows so I'm seriously confused why this movie wasn't made in blockbuster fashion. Instead it's cheesy with terrible acting and a terrible ending. I'm a huge Amazon fan so it feels personal that Jeff didn't invest more time, talent and money into telling me his origin story.

Entertaining

[marjinadavis · 8/10 · 18 March 2024]

The story was refreshingly truthful and grounded. It openly recognized the advantages the protagonist had, while also portraying the genuine hazards he faced, despite seemingly having no need to do so. It depicted, with authenticity, how plans often come together in a spontaneous manner. The exaggerated elements added a layer of enjoyment and were a delightful touch. Overall, the narrative presents an uplifting tale about life, daring, and self-respect that could inspire you in your own journey. The protagonist, though timid and awkward, possesses a spirit akin to a legendary warrior. This might unexpectedly stir a sense of boldness and masculinity. The underlying message is clear: never surrender, never settle, and pursue your goals with unyielding determination.

an honest opening

[mudassiraliansari · 7/10 · 25 January 2023]

This movie reminds me of Silicon Valley season, It has a lot of challenges and struggles to get your first order. I feel some jumps in timeline, they could have shown how Bezos validate his idea that selling books was the business model he wants to adapt though he could start selling something else. How he came up with this idea and selling books was not even exciting at that time I suppose. I really want this movie to be dead honest and serious, I hope next part will cover more in depth of challenges he has to face, because this movie is just the beginning and I would recommend this movie to watch.

A pointless attempt that goes nowhere

[dreamdemon-1 · 3/10 · 29 January 2023]

First of all, I acknowledge that making anything except a straight factual biography on Bezos is an attempt in futility as there's no way it will reach people.

Bezos is a polarising figure as his story as a person equals that of Amazon, with all that it represents to different people: a success story, a villanous corporation, a pointless foray into commercial space flight, worker rights suppression, a consumer godsend, environmental disaster and so on.

Something that brushes past these topics having any other reason except factual authenticity is going to get a pushback.

To make up for dodging what makes Bezos polarising, the movie would have to be an exercise in art: acting, story writing, a human side of Bezos, going deep into personal issues, the make of the man and so on.

Long story short, this movie fails across the board. The acting is all over the place, I'd call it decent but decent is just not enough to save this. Cinematography is good ... but buried under bland writing and a story that brings nothing to the table.

There's really nothing here as everything that could potentially make people curious is just glossed over, including Bezos' divorce despite the fact that his wife was also a driving force behind his Amazon empire building. This point alone is unforgivable.

A heartening story

[jackokirrane · 10/10 · 13 February 2024]

Parts of the movie DID feel clumsy and clichéd. However, the narrative was unusually honest and realistic. Unashamedly acknowledging the privilege he had, while also showing the real risks taken by someone with ostensibly no reason to take them. It also showed, realistically, the nature of plans, which emerged in an ad hoc way. The overdramatized parts were fun and felt great. Taken as a whole, it's a very heartening narrative about life, risks and pride which may help you in your own life. Even though he is a shy dork, he has the soul of Genghis Khan. So it might give you all those MAN feelings too which I never expected. Never give in, never cash out, and be relentless!

Extremely Low Budget Cheap Looking Movie

[singhka8 · 3/10 · 1 March 2024]

This is my first review ever on here. I just had to. I don't get why this was such a low budget movie. One of the biggest companies on the planet. And a movie about one of the richest men in the world. Yet the direction, the camera used, the cinematography, even the actors, everything is C class. At least casting could have made up for it but it was such a bad selection of cast. The only great acting was by Alex Mitchell. The rest of the actors seriously looked like they were selected out of school play and were reciting lines. I mean what in the world happened? This did no justice to Jeff Bezos's Legacy. I feel bad for all those that worked on it, sorry you were low balled for the production budget of this movie. Either that or the budget was very poorly used and some poor production decisions were made sorry to say. I hope there can be legitimate remake that actually does justice like the Steve Jobs movies.

The great Bezos

[realskidrow · 8/10 · 16 March 2024]

The film offers an insightful look into the lesser-known early days of Amazon, providing a balanced and factual narrative of Bezos' journey. I was particularly impressed by the film's portrayal of Mackenzie and her significant role in the company's growth. Filmed entirely in Miami with Emilio Estefan in a starring role, the movie draws an intriguing connection to Bezos' Cuban stepfather, adding a unique cultural dimension. Although the movie's pace slows a bit towards the end, it remains a captivating watch. I highly recommend it to anyone, not just those interested in Bezos, but also to those who enjoy exploring the realms of business and startups.

Loved it

[mangosteen55 · 9/10 · 16 March 2024]

This flick is a stand out for several compelling reasons, making it a must-see. It's fascinating to see how the screenplay effectively depicts the early days of Amazon. However, I noticed the depiction of Jeff Bezos lacked the level of critique one might anticipate in the current climate. Delving into the background of the production company behind this film revealed their commendable focus on amplifying Hispanic voices and actors in their independent cinema ventures. This aspect of the film particularly resonated with me, adding a unique and culturally rich dimension to the storytelling. The involvement of esteemed Hispanic composer Emilio Estefan further elevates the film's appeal, adding a touch of musical brilliance. Watching this film feels like a more meaningful investment of time and resources, especially when considering the burgeoning journey of independent filmmakers as opposed to the already well-established trajectory of figures like Bezos. It's a refreshing change to support emerging talents in the film industry, witnessing their creative endeavors unfold.

Very interesting move that chronicles the beginning days of Amazon!

[cajabaroller · 9/10 · 25 January 2023]

This movie enlightens the not very known founding days of Amazon. It has a neutral and objective approach to Bezos' story. I also appreciated it's positive portrayal of Mackenzie and her contributions to the company. Very interesting that it was all filmed in Miami and stars Emilio Estefan. Bezos' stepfather is Cuban and it's a very interesting connection. Towards the end the pace of the movie slightly slows down but I absolutely enjoyed watching this movie and totally recommend everyone watching it -not only to the audience who is into Bezos but also whoever has interest in business & startup topics.

Entertaining

[Notalbertswife · 8/10 · 2 February 2023]

Entertaining for many reasons! Worth the watch. I think the writers of this film did a good job at capturing the start of Amazon, however were not as critical of Bezos as one would think at this point in time. After looking up the film production company, I am into what they're all about regarding centering hispanic actors and voices in their indie films. I think that was a cool part of the film, as well as features from big time Hispanic composer, Emilio Estefan. Better to spend your time and money watching an independent film trying to get their start in the industry as opposed to Bezos lol.

Everything I Wanted to Know: Part 1

[hailtotheredskins · 9/10 · 25 February 2024]

This was a low budget movie and it got away with it. I knew a bit about Jeff Bezos and this movie filled it the blanks about where Amazon began.

My degrees aren't in business. I came to see the human aspect.

The only thing I knew about Bezos was that Amazon started in his garage. The movie provided a glimpse as to what that looked like.

I never knew about the Barnes and Noble stuff either. The chances taken were shown pretty well. There's a lot to cover with what Amazon and Bezos became. The movie stops at their first unexpected sale (95 min mark).

This movie showed only the beginnings and I'm fine with that. Actually, that's all I was needing to see. You'll even learn about how he came up with the company name.

I admire the laser focus and grit. You also need intelligence and his academic efforts helped conquer obstacles.

Beyond that, he gained a successful business but lost, what appeared to be, a loving and supportive wife. I'm not sure any amount of money can buy what he had and didn't appreciate.

Make no mistake, this was his story not her's. MacKenzie was shown strongly supporting her husband and the original notion, but once she agreed to quit her career and move across the country, she was shown only as a nag. Not fair.

The "Know Your Worth" comment is the other thing I will take away from this movie.

I wonder if Jeff Bezos has a real true friend. It doesn't seem that way. Sometimes, It's lonely at the top.

Would love a part 2

[mariebobbyy-88339 · 9/10 · 1 April 2024]

Engaging and inspiring in many ways, this film is definitely worth your time. The scriptwriters have impressively captured the early days of Amazon, highlighting Mackenzie's significant and often overlooked contributions to the company. Although there are some jumps in the timeline, a deeper exploration into how Bezos validated his initial idea of selling books, especially when this business model wasn't considered thrilling at the time, would have added more depth. This film offers a sincere and serious portrayal, but I'm eager for a follow-up that delves into the more challenging aspects of Bezos's journey. It's just the start of a larger story, and I highly recommend watching it for both entertainment and inspiration.

Inspiring stuff

[mikeypep · 9/10 · 20 March 2024]

Bezos, the 2023 film, offers a gripping portrayal of Jeff Bezos's journey from a humble entrepreneur to the founder of Amazon, the world's largest e-commerce company. The film skillfully navigates through Bezos's early struggles, his innovative drive, and the ambitious vision that ultimately led him to become the richest man in the world. This true-life narrative not only highlights his business achievements but also delves into the personal and emotional challenges he faced along the way.

The cinematography and direction adeptly balance the technical aspects of building a business empire with the nuanced portrayal of Bezos's character. The lead actor delivers a compelling performance, bringing depth and relatability to Bezos, allowing the audience to engage with his journey on a more personal level.

Bezos stands out as an inspirational film, not just for aspiring entrepreneurs but for anyone fascinated by the intersections of technology, business, and personal determination. It's a powerful testament to innovation and perseverance, showcasing one of the most influential figures in modern commerce. This biographical drama is a significant contribution to its genre, offering deep insights into the life and mind of Jeff Bezos.

Great Movie !!!!

[adrian-82044 · 10/10 · 12 March 2024]

This is a wonderful find. Amazing cast & crew. Great view into the early years of Amazon must check this out when you can. Alot of new perspectives on the company and its original founders. The main actors all did great, the directing was wonderful and impressive what they where able to pull off. Must recommend this if your interested in seeing the beginnings of such a tech giant. Get online and watch this today. The filmakers also had Walt before mickey made prior to this movie. The main actor and director seem to be working alot together on these type of movies. Check it out when ou can. Now.