Renowned life and business strategist Tony Robbins granted documentarist Joe Berlinger embedded access to record his highly successful six day seminar, "Date With Destiny" in Boca Raton, Florida. This lucrative event was attended by 2,500 people, all having the same hunger to do amazing things with their lives but lacking the energy and focus to do little more than spend hours working on their makeup or other facades of perfection. The documentary premiered at the American Documentary Film Festival in 2016 and is both entertaining and informative. It is more like a rock concert than a seminar complete with stage lighting, showers of confetti, and Tony's energized performance. The theatre is filled with well dressed men and women who flew in from around the world to let the man they know through friends and colleagues, books, and other seminars break through their conscious mind and force feed their starving egos. Considering the cost of this six day event, viewers are getting a real bargain. The film documents every morning's key theme which Tony builds upon to persuade his audience to follow his teachable pathway to personal success and fulfillment. But make no mistake, Tony Robbins is not a Guru; he is a persuasive speaker using the sound body language principles he learned as a kid trying to please his dysfunctional mother and the swear words he needs to break through the rock hard, politically correct mind to draw out the life ambitions of his participants. Then, he sends them off to workshops run by his crew of home grown trainers to develop the skills they need to strike out on their own. Some moments are painful to watch such as the story told by a suicidal young man in the opening scene but overall, the documentary is very upbeat. With embedded access to his home and the backstage area, documentary film maker Berlinger shows movie goers how Tony manages his highly successful life, large production staff, and the invigorating work outs he uses to energize himself for this marathon event.Tony Robbins "Date with Destiny" message is simple...cut the crap and get on with the life you really want to live and as a "blind date" performance, I rate this documentary eight out of ten.

As someone who thoroughly enjoys the area of personal development, it was extremely disappointing to hear Mr. Robbins use vulgar and offensive language to make his point - Particularly with a nineteen year old female participant who stands up to share a part of her story while Mr. Robbins proceeded to use four letter words with her that I wouldn't expect anyone in his position and influence to talk to a young, impressionable female a third of his age. It was uncomfortable to watch and unnecessary. On a brighter note, I am grateful for not shelling out five thousand dollars (or five hundred) to witness his inappropriate behavior in person.

The use of the f-word as punctuation is very carefully designed. There's a different breed of celebutainers in town.....famous for no or mediocre talent, ultra-hyped to the point of nauseating, ubiquitous, use of cuss words their trademark. You can generally group them under "Illuminati." I've observed this increasing use of vulgar language, like f*** and p****, in broadcast, print, streaming media with much dismay! It's entirely unnecessary, but the use is rather calculated. Their fan-base, or the demographic they appeal to, somehow identifies with them over this overt use of cuss words. The leaders of this particular cult resuscitate flagging, or nourish fledgling, careers by utilizing their wide network of employers like ABC, Fox, Netflix etc. One basically "sells his soul to the devil" if they sign on with this cult, as you might have heard many a celebutainers cop to. Tony, likewise, is playing his part in this deal he appears to have signed with the devil. They will bankroll you big time, but will expect you to work your f****** a** (language solely used as a pun) to make you repay their investment. Their patrons win awards like the Golden Globes, Oscars, Grammies, American Music Awards, VMA's, MTV Movie Awards, Emmies, Tonies, etc. etc.; they cover tabloids and glossies; they make all kinds of "100 Influential..." lists with Time, Forbes, People, etc.; they're always doing one insipid project after another; they are notorious for featuring their cult members in nearly, semi, or totally-nude shots, or in shots with crotch and butt prominent. They get giddy with talk and thoughts of disgusting sex acts. Just a sexploiting cult, really!

I just saw this brand new Netflix original doc the other night. I don't have a lot of background on motivational speaker and "guru" Tony Robbins, other than is little role as himself in the 2001 Farrelly bros. comedy, "Shallow Hal", although not sure that's really how he works?? o.O This movie covers a week-long seminar, which people from around the world attend and shell out a cool $5 grand! It also goes into a bit about who he is, his life growing up, interviews with him, and a lot of what led him to become the self-help "expert" he is now. I don't necessarily agree with his methods (don't disagree with them either, just not sure), but it was really powerful watching him do his stuff in this movie, and watching the attendees open up about their own lives and problems. I think for me the most powerful moment(s) involved the woman from the "children of god" sect. Wow! But regardless of what you think of Tony, I would definitely encourage giving this doc a watch sometime. Thumbs up!