Parents' Guide to

This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Docu follows young internet star's gender transition.

Movie NR 2017 91 minutes
This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

THIS IS EVERYTHING: GIGI GORGEOUS follows the very modern journey of one young adult's transition from male to female. Director Barbara Kopple creates an intimate portrait of "Gigi Gorgeous" Lazzarato, a well-known and popular internet celebrity, by combining old photos/film, family interviews, and the subject's early web appearances with a thorough documentation of the gender transitioning process. During his early years, Greg Lazzarato was a spirited kid -- athletic (a Canadian champion youth diver), exuberant, and distinctly his own person. He had a special place in a very loving family: hard-working dad, stay-at-home mom, and two brothers. In 2006, 14 years old and alert to his budding "differentness" (he knew he was gay and had a passion for clothes and makeup), Greg found his "calling" on YouTube. Speaking honestly, vibrantly, and sometimes angrily to camera, Greg touched a nerve with other kids. It wasn't long before he had an expansive young audience ("subscribers"), a manager, and advertisers. After a tragic family event at age 20, Greg acknowledged to himself, his family, and his fans that inside his male body was "Gigi Gorgeous," a powerful young woman fighting to emerge. What follows is a detailed rendering of the transformation of Greg Lazzarato to "Gigi Gorgeous." Kopple's camera finds key moments in this transition -- medical procedures, shopping trips, and unexpected intimacies, all of which illustrate the challenging, life-affirming, and often funny milestones in Gigi's life.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This chronicle of a young man's gender transition is a vivid example of how what might have been a wrenching, difficult experience can be accomplished gently and positively with courage and love. The revelation here, and what makes This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous so moving, is the powerful and steadfast support of Greg/Gigi's family before, during, and after the transformation. As the spirited Greg moves confidently (even brashly) and relatively smoothly to become Gigi, Dad David -- who was "surprised but not shocked" by his son's news -- is a constant confidante and caregiver, fully committed to his child. And her two brothers, secure in their own skin, adore and admire their sibling. Young people, especially those dealing with social pressures, bullying, family dysfunction, and/or gender issues, will take solace in this story. It's clear what makes Gigi a hero to her peers. For parents, it's a study in a family's growing acceptance, wisdom, and unconditional love. For those willing to open their minds and their hearts to one of this decade's most controversial sociological issues, Kopple's film is an enlightening personal visit with a transgender individual rather than a concept. Best for mature teens, especially when shared with adult family members.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the growing public awareness of gender transitioning. Were you familiar with the many elements of the process before you saw This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous? How did Gigi's story impact your attitude about this major life-change?

  • What character traits did Gigi have that made her journey possible? Would she have been able to make the changes she made if she had not had a strong sense of purpose? Do you think that strong motivation is critical when working to reach goals in general? Is there a specific example in your life?

  • YouTube stars and other web personalities are reaching surprising heights of celebrity. Some of the folks are simply silly; some provide thoughtful commentary along with the fun; others are dedicated to enriching their audience's experience. How do you determine which shows are worth your time and which are simply distractions? Should parents be aware of their kids' "vlog" viewing choices?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate