Watch No Impact Man

In the 2009 documentary film, No Impact Man, directed by Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein, we see the story of a family's attempt to live a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle for an entire year in the heart of New York City. The film is based on the book, No Impact Man, written by Colin Beavan - the man who initiated the project. The movie follows Colin Beavan, his wife Michelle Conlin, and their daughter Isabella, as they disconnect their electricity, stop using motorized transport, and stop buying anything packaged in plastic. Additionally, they start composting and growing their food on their small balcony in their Fifth Avenue apartment. The family aims to live a "no impact" lifestyle, which means that they aim to reduce their environmental impact as much as possible by consuming and disposing of nothing that could harm the environment.

The beginning of the movie shows the family experiencing the standard conveniences of modern life, including electricity, disposable items like paper towels, and convenient food packaging. They feel a longing to live a simpler life that is more in tune with nature, so they embark on this experiment to see whether it's feasible to live sustainably in the city, despite the high cost of living in New York.

Throughout the film, Colin and his family struggle to adapt to their new way of life. They debate whether to take the elevator or climb up 25 flights of stairs to their apartment, they have to learn how to cook new recipes with fresh produce that they grow themselves, and they have to learn to be satisfied with less. At one point, their daughter gets frustrated that she can't have store-bought snacks and toys, and Beavan feels guilty for the sacrifice his family is making.

As the year goes on, the family starts to adjust to their new lifestyle, sometimes reluctantly. Michelle is skeptical of the project at first, but she begins to see the benefits of it as time goes on. She points out that their lives have become more social, and they spend more time on their balcony instead of watching TV indoors. They also start to appreciate little joys, like riding their bikes through New York and feeling the wind in their hair.

No Impact Man is not just about the trials and tribulations of the Beavan family; it's also about the larger environmental issues society faces as we continue to consume resources at an alarming rate. Beavan interviews experts in the sustainability movement who explain why it's important for individuals to make changes in their lives if we want to reduce our collective impact on the planet.

Throughout the documentary, the filmmakers use montages and music to help communicate the family's emotions and struggles. The music is often dark and moody, reflecting the challenges they're facing. For example, when the family is arguing about having to live without electricity, the music is fast-paced and frenetic. The film also uses colorful animation to illustrate the statistics and facts surrounding the environmental crisis.

One of the most moving moments in the movie is when the Beavan family visits a landfill to see how much waste is created by modern society. The family is visibly shaken by the experience, as they see mountains of trash which are both depressing and overwhelming. This scene also highlights how our society has become disconnected from our waste, and how easy it is to ignore the impact our consumption has on the environment.

Overall, No Impact Man is a thought-provoking documentary that encourages viewers to reflect on their own lifestyles and habits. The film is not just a story about a family and their attempts to live sustainably; it's a call to action for all of us to reconsider the way we interact with the environment. By taking small steps, one person at a time, we can make a big difference in the long run.

No Impact Man is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 66.