This does not add any further value to their 2015 documentary. So by their own principle, this follow-up should not even have been made.
Instead of delving into their personal journeys towards accumulation and subsequently minimalism, they could have done better by discussing the psychology behind accumulation. This was briefly mentioned as companies exploiting people's psychology to get them to buy things.
If they want people to do the reverse and turn towards minimalism, the obvious angle would have been to take a closer look at the vulnerability that causes people to compensate with accumulation. Basically they should have invited a psychologist to discuss Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Once our basic physiological and safety needs are fulfilled, i.e, food, water and shelter, people need a sense of love and belonging which then enables them to achieve self-esteem and ultimately self-actualisation. These are the needs that marketers exploit. So the question is not "How might life be better with less?", but "What is truly missing in my life that I have been trying to fill with stuff?".
The Minimalists: Less Is Now
2021
Action / Documentary
The Minimalists: Less Is Now
2021
Action / Documentary
Keywords: minimalism
Plot summary
The film's title was inspired by the popular maxim "Less is more," popularized by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969),who used this aphorism to describe his design aesthetic; his tactic was one of arranging the necessary components of a building to create an impression of extreme simplicity. The Minimalists have reworked this phrase to create a sense of urgency for today's consumer culture: now is the time for less.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Missed opportunity
Needless, bloated and cluttered. How ironic.
I couldn't agree more with the principles of minimalism, but this so-called documentary leaves an awful lot to be desired. I'm sure they already made an identical film a few years ago so no idea what the point of this was. Full of rambling half truths and sob stories. The two protagonists are fundamentally unlikeable and painful to listen to. Ultimately, this documentary is a waste of time, money and resources- go figure.
What is happening
Why are they each taking turns performing monologues? Why is Dave Ramsey here? Why are we hearing SO many of the same stories as the last documentary? It seems like Josh runs the show and is SUPER into himself, to the point of being dogmatic, and Ryan is just along for the ride. I really don't understand why this movie was made.