Ennio (2022)

Ennio is the rare music documentary that doesn’t just tell you Ennio Morricone was a genius—it lets you feel it, as his melodies and the stories behind them unfold with the sweep and precision of a great film score. It’s a masterfully assembled, deeply affectionate tribute that balances history, craft, and emotion, giving you a comprehensive sense of how one man’s work could shape the sound of modern cinema. The vibe is reverent but lively, filled with insight and admiration without turning into empty worship, and it’s hard not to come away moved by the discipline and imagination behind those unforgettable themes. If you’re looking for gossip or a brisk, surface-level recap, it may feel too substantial, but if you’ve ever been haunted by a tune after the credits, this is a must.

Ennio is clearly aiming to be a loving, authoritative tribute to Morricone’s towering career, and if you want a respectful victory lap packed with admiration, it delivers that. The catch is it’s a long, fairly conventional documentary built largely around talking heads and praise, which can start to feel like a greatest-hits slideshow rather than a deep dive into how the music was actually made. Some key works and thornier details feel brushed past, and the focus can drift, making the runtime feel heavier than it needs to be. Worth it for dedicated fans who just want to bask in the legacy, but if you’re craving sharp analysis, behind-the-scenes craft, or a tighter narrative, this may test your patience.