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Parents' Guide to

Best Shape of My Life

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Smith's manic weight loss quest addresses mental wellness.

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Best Shape of My Life Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Best Shape of My Life- Scene #1
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Community Reviews

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age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

Nithin nick
Nithin nick Adult
November 16, 2021
age 17+

Best shape of life could have been more best.

The series starts off with the Will's goals for the next 2o weeks where he aims to achieve both shedding 20 pounds and at the same time completing his memoir, and from there it starts dealing with the progress of his next 20 weeks. The problem with this there is no base of prior strong thing as foundation for audience to stick with him and even at some places the scenes or the time given for showcasing that particular week's things lacks and feels missed, skipped or fast forwarded it tires to showcase the dilemma that Will is going at the same time because of lack of proper presentation it also kind of confuses the audience. It could have been lot more engaging and better but anyway its neither a movie nor a documentary to be fabricated, edited and presented. It definitely worth watching to know his side of story and what makes him tick and what derails him. It's completely from his point of view of his current state and its worth giving a watch.
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What's the Story?

In BEST SHAPE OF MY LIFE, superstar Will Smith (Men in Black, Independence Day) takes on a self-imposed challenge to drop 20 pounds in 20 weeks, while he finishes writing his autobiography. He admits to weighing more than he ever has, as he strips down to his tee shirt and shorts to get weighed. He diets and fasts, working out for hours every day, pushing himself to his physical and emotional limits. He examines his innermost fears, his past, and his childhood as he simultaneously writes his autobiography. But can he reach his goals? Or will he break down in the process?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This moral tale about a man's ambition and his quest to push himself might ultimately confuse fans. It's simply very hard to see a person body shame him or herself in front of a camera, and in Best Shape of My Life, that's exactly what Will Smith does. But beyond that, while this super-intelligent, and extremely driven man pushes himself to the brink of physical perfection, he also begins to peel back excruciating memories of his personal journey.

Though the quality of the filmmaking is very fine, and the story is well-told, there are moments where the ends seem to justify the means. Will Smith touts his ability to persist at all costs. But the cracks in the Hollywood facade begin to appear, and the whole charade of this series begs the question: why set such intense goals to begin with? After all, Smith doesn't operate in a vacuum -- he brings a string of people in his team along for the ride -- for better, or for worse. Kids will want to watch it if they're fans, but adults might want to be ready for some discussions about what's reality and what's showbiz.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about healthy self-image in Best Shape of My Life. What is unhealthy about Will Smith's weight loss regimen? What constitutes a healthy body image?

  • Will Smith compares his body weight to images of himself when his body looked very fit. How does seeing idealized bodies in the media make you feel?

  • Will Smith talks about his ability to achieve anything he wants to. What does this say about perseverance? Does his perseverance inspire you?

TV Details

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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.

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