Tom Shadyac ‘I Am’ is a Journey of the Heart

I caught up with Tom Shadyac, the famed producer, director, and actor recently at a press round table for his new documentary I Am.
Tom Shadyac ‘I Am’ is a Journey of the Heart
Tom Shadyac On the set of 'Evan Almighty' with Steve Carell and Morgan Freeman. (Courtesy of Shady Acres Entertainment)
3/14/2011
Updated:
3/14/2011
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/tom_shadyak_2_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/tom_shadyak_2_medium.jpg" alt="Tom Shadyac On the set of 'Evan Almighty' with Steve Carell and Morgan Freeman. (Courtesy of Shady Acres Entertainment)" title="Tom Shadyac On the set of 'Evan Almighty' with Steve Carell and Morgan Freeman. (Courtesy of Shady Acres Entertainment)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-122152"/></a>
Tom Shadyac On the set of 'Evan Almighty' with Steve Carell and Morgan Freeman. (Courtesy of Shady Acres Entertainment)
LOS ANGELES—I caught up with Tom Shadyac, the famed producer, director, and actor recently at a press round table for his new documentary I Am. Sitting in his company was like having a cup of tea with old friends—pleasant, interesting and open. His sense of humor is self-deprecating and he responds to questions with well-thought out answers, honesty, and friendliness. One left the round table feeling like something wonderful had just been shared.

With blockbuster films Ace Ventura, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty, and Patch Adams to his credit, he achieved what some might describe as the ‘American Dream.’ Yet, a single life-threatening event would change his perspective on life, resulting in him making a very different kind of movie from the comedies he’s become famous for.

A 2007 cycling accident left Shadyac with Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS), a condition where the symptoms of the original concussion would not go away. His symptoms included intense and painful reactions to light and sound, severe mood swings, and a constant ringing sound in his head. Months passed in isolation and pain. In the film’s press notes, he also elaborates on this time period.

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/IAM_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/IAM_medium-304x450.jpg" alt="'I Am' poster. (Courtesy of Shady Acres Entertainment)" title="'I Am' poster. (Courtesy of Shady Acres Entertainment)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-122153"/></a>
'I Am' poster. (Courtesy of Shady Acres Entertainment)
“I simply didn’t think I was going to make it.” However, he pointed out, “Death can be a very powerful motivator. If this is it for me—if I really am going to die—what do I want to say before I go? What will be my last testament?” Shadyac called this his “dark night of the soul,” a spiritual life-changing event.

Perhaps in keeping with the mystical quality, his PCS symptoms began to recede. He has been in pursuit of truth all his life, “As early as I can remember I simply wanted to know what was true and somehow I perceived at a very early age that what I was being taught was not ‘the whole truth and nothing but the truth.’”

At the round table, his sense of humor highlighted all of his responses. He described himself as “questioning and searching and stumbling and fumbling toward the light.” It, perhaps, appears as if the ‘Light’ heard him and answered in a very round-about way, guiding him to where his quest for the truth should head now.

Shadyac had achieved Hollywood success. His films grossed nearly two billion dollars, and his lifestyle was a reflection of that success. He explained, “What I discovered, when I began to look deeply, was that the world I was living in was a lie. Much to my surprise, the accumulation of material wealth was a neutral phenomenon, neither good nor bad, and certainly did not buy happiness.”

His creativity led him to share his personal experience with the world. He took a small film crew and began their adventure making the personal documentary I AM.

In the ensuing process, he would interview many of the world’s great thinkers, the ones who had moved him. Of the all the people he interviewed only one knew of his film Ace Ventura. His response to not being recognized was quite humble.

He laughed as he recalled the situation, “You know what, I was surprised and wonderfully fine with it, I was fine with it, I think it was kinda like the way that ego left the room, we all sort of want to come with our resume. ‘I write for this, and I’ve done that,’ and they were like—‘never heard of you.’ So I had to meet them without the crutch [of recognition].”

In the process he would go on to experience the aliveness and connectedness of life and create a film about what’s right and positive with the world.

Shadyac’s deep desire for the ultimate truth is expressed with warmth, optimism, and ever present humor. It could be said the real guide in his movie is the eternal quest for truth.

If you only see one film this year, this would be an excellent choice, joining Shadyac on his unconventional discovery of what’s right with the world.

“My hope is that I AM is a window into truth, a glimpse into the miracle, the mystery and magic of who we really are, and of the basic nature of the connection and unity of all things. In a way, says Shadyac, I think of I AM as the ultimate reality show.”

I AM opens March 11th at the ArcLight in Hollywood and opens March 18th in New York City.

For more information, visit the official website for the film.