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Pavarotti
By Tara McNamara,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Docu traces opera icon's rise; some swearing, war images.

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Pavarotti
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What's the Story?
Directed by Ron Howard, the documentary PAVAROTTI looks at the personal and professional life of the legendary opera tenor. The film details how the combination of prodigious talent, charisma, ambition, and willingness to step outside the norm buoyed an elementary school teacher from Modena, Italy, to become one of the most famous people in the world.
Is It Any Good?
Howard deftly lays out how an elementary school teacher created thunder loud enough to make the world take notice as he flashed across the sky. In doing so, Pavarotti becomes much more appealing to mainstream audiences than you might think for a heavily subtitled movie about an Italian opera singer. Howard starts by making him human, revealing "Luciano" before he becomes "Pavarotti." Viewers see his goofy sense of humor, his insecurities, his loneliness, and his beginnings as a boy who wanted to be like his father. The audience gets a feel for his terrific ambition, and credit is given to those he trusted to get him to the top. (Future marketing geniuses should take notes.)
But for opera fans, the film lacks depth. The audience doesn't really get a feel for the man himself. The interview footage with Pavarotti is limited, and the blanks are filled in by wives and lovers, managers and colleagues. He still feels like he's up on a pedestal, untouchable; perhaps that's because all of the interview subjects, including his wives and children, have put him there. As a mainstream reveal of what made opera icon Luciano Pavarotti surpass "good" to become one of the greats, Pavarotti satisfies the itch, but for opera fans, this film on the tenor's life only scratches the surface.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Pavarotti cultivated his career to become the most significant opera singer of the modern age. How did he use teamwork and perseverance to enhance his career? How did he "bring opera to the people"?
Pavarotti says, "Am I successful or am I famous? I don't know, and I don't care." What do you think he means? Would you care? Do success and fame always go hand in hand?
How does Pavarotti demonstrate compassion? How do you think Princess Diana ignited that character strength in him? Why is it a valuable trait to possess?
Did it surprise you to know that Pavarotti was nervous before every performance? What does he mean when he says, "I go to die" before performing? Knowing this, does it give you confidence in an aspect of your life?
Do you think this film provides a full, accurate portrait of Pavarotti? Are there other aspects of his life you'd want to know more about?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 7, 2019
- On DVD or streaming: September 24, 2019
- Cast: Luciano Pavarotti , Plácido Domingo , Bono
- Director: Ron Howard
- Studio: CBS Films
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Arts and Dance , Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Humility , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 114 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: brief strong language and a war-related image
- Last updated: April 4, 2023
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