Watch I Am Bolt

I Am Bolt is a sports documentary film released in 2016, which is all about the life of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. Directed by Benjamin Turner and Gabe Turner, the film aims to give viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into Bolt's daily routine and the numerous challenges he faces as a sprinter. The documentary kicks off with the hordes of fans who gather to celebrate Usain Bolt's 30th birthday party in Rio shortly after his victory in the 2016 Olympic Games. The film then takes viewers through Bolt's early years, where we are introduced to his school and home life. We learn that Usain was an avid fan of cricket, playing for a local club as a child before shifting his focus to athletics.

Usain himself takes the audience through some of his earliest breakthroughs, remembering everything from his first competitive race as a seven-year-old to his first television appearance. Through these initial moments, we get an early feel for the documentary's overall tone, which is one of celebration and appreciation for Bolt's many accomplishments.

The audience also gets a sense of the immense pressure Bolt faces in trying to remain on top of his game. Through conversations with his manager, Ricky Simms, and his longtime coach, Glen Mills, we gain a unique insight into the complexities that come with training at an elite level. Bolt's training regimen is intense, and we witness him straining on the track, pushing his body to its absolute limits.

The documentary handles Bolt's social life with equal care, taking the viewer through some of the many personal relationships Bolt has developed throughout his career. This includes his closest friends from the track, specifically fellow sprinters Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake. We also see many of the famous faces who have become Bolt's admirers over the years, such as Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney.

Nugent Walker Jr., one of Bolt's closest childhood friends, provides much of the context around how Bolt came to be one of the most prominent sports stars on the planet. Nugent's interviews not only provide us with some much-needed context around Bolt's early life, but they also emphasize the importance of Bolt's Jamaican heritage to his identity as a runner.

I Am Bolt's greatest strength, perhaps, is how it captures Bolt's drive and determination, which has been a hallmark of his career. The film never shies away from highlighting the pressure he is continually under, particularly in the lead up to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Throughout the film, we follow Bolt on a rigorous training program, as he tries to recover from an injury in record time.

I Am Bolt also offers insights into the more intimate moments of Bolt's career. There are moments where Usain is openly emotional about the amount of sacrifice his career has taken from him, particularly when discussing the personal toll his success has had on his relationships. These typically understated moments add an unexpected emotional depth to the overall story of Bolt's journey.

The documentary also touches upon Bolt's love of partying, an aspect of his life that has often been maligned in the media. As Bolt himself notes, however, he functions best when he is able to combine his professional and personal life in a balanced way.

In total, I Am Bolt is an entertaining and well-produced documentary that truly celebrates one of the greatest athletes of our time. It provides an exclusive look at the life of one of the most famous sports personalities in the world and gives a unique insight into the motivations that drive him forward. For those who have celebrated Bolt's career from afar, the documentary is a must-see. But for those who have not followed his journey yet, watching I Am Bolt will convert them into one of Usain's legions of fans.

I Am Bolt is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 64.