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Music documentary

Love to Love You, Donna Summer (2023): Cast & Ratings

Love to Love You, Donna Summer (2023) movie poster

Love to Love You, Donna Summer is a 2023 music documentary directed by Roger Ross Williams and Brooklyn Sudano, starring Donna Summer. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
82%
Echo Score
47
Metascore
62
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Love to Love You, Donna Summer (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Genres
Music , Documentary
Original language
English
Studio
HBO
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Love to Love You, Donna Summer About?

The premise of Love to Love You, Donna Summer without spoilers.

This documentary offers an intimate look at the life and career of music icon Donna Summer. The film explores her journey from her early years in avant-garde Germany to her rise to fame in New York’s thriving dance club scene. "Love to Love You" reveals the highs and lows of Summer's career, showcasing her remarkable artistry and creative process. Rare home movies and photographs offer a unique glimpse into the complexity of the legendary performer.

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Cast & crew

Love to Love You, Donna Summer Cast

Donna Summer stars in Love to Love You, Donna Summer. Directed by Roger Ross Williams and Brooklyn Sudano.

From the directors

More from Roger Ross Williams and Brooklyn Sudano

More films directed by Roger Ross Williams and Brooklyn Sudano, best-rated first: The Apollo, God Loves Uganda, Life, Animated and Cassandro.

Ratings

Love to Love You, Donna Summer Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Love to Love You, Donna Summer 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 47/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in story & flow (35).

47 /100

Love to Love You, Donna Summer Echo Score Breakdown

Love to Love You, Donna Summer presents a mixed portrait that balances vivid archival performances with a fragmented narrative. Critics note the documentary's emotional heart and rich musical excerpts, yet many point to disjointed chronology and uneven editing that limit depth. Audience reactions echo this split, praising the soundtrack while lamenting the lack of cohesive storytelling. Consequently, the film offers occasional insight but falls short of a fully compelling portrait, resulting in a modest overall rating.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 35

    In terms of art and craft, the documentary’s visual and editorial execution is uneven. Critics and viewers repeatedly mention poor editing choices, a lack of chronological clarity, and subpar audio quality that detract from the archival footage. While rare home‑video clips provide visual interest, the overall production feels rushed and pieced together. The net impression is that technical execution hampers the film’s potential.

  • Character & Emotion 58

    When evaluating character and emotional resonance, the film succeeds in highlighting Summer’s personal relationships and moments of genuine affection. Reviewers appreciate the heartfelt interviews with family members and occasional intimate anecdotes that reveal her humanity. However, several critiques argue that the depth of her artistic persona remains superficial and that family involvement limits critical perspective. Overall, the documentary offers moderate emotional insight but stops short of a fully nuanced portrait.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Story and flow receive the most criticism, as the documentary often feels fragmented and lacking a clear narrative thread. Critics and users alike point to non‑chronological sequencing, a disjointed script, and missed opportunities to contextualize Summer’s impact on disco. The pacing is described as erratic, preventing sustained engagement. Consequently, the storytelling is perceived as weak and underdeveloped.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory experience is a relative strength, driven largely by the inclusion of Summer’s iconic music and occasional high‑energy performances. Reviewers commend the vibrant soundtrack and nostalgic sonic elements that evoke the disco era. Yet, technical issues such as inconsistent audio mixing and occasional poor sound quality temper the praise. Overall, the sensory components are engaging but uneven.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch factor is moderate; the documentary offers moments that fans may revisit for nostalgic musical highlights, but the structural flaws limit repeat viewing appeal. Some audience members express enthusiasm for the rare footage, while many cite the disjointed narrative as a barrier to future enjoyment. The combined sentiment suggests limited replay value.

Videos

Love to Love You, Donna Summer Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Love to Love You, Donna Summer.

Official Trailer
Details

Love to Love You, Donna Summer Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “דונה סאמר: Love to Love You” and “Mīlu tevi mīlēt”.

Also known as
  • דונה סאמר: Love to Love You
  • Mīlu tevi mīlēt
  • Donna Sammere
  • เลิฟทูเลิฟยู ดอนน่า ซัมเมอร์

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FAQ

Love to Love You, Donna Summer FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Love to Love You, Donna Summer, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Love to Love You, Donna Summer?

Love to Love You, Donna Summer runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Love to Love You, Donna Summer released?

Love to Love You, Donna Summer was released on May 20, 2023.

Who directed Love to Love You, Donna Summer?

Love to Love You, Donna Summer was directed by Roger Ross Williams and Brooklyn Sudano.

More films by Roger Ross Williams

Who is in the cast of Love to Love You, Donna Summer?

Love to Love You, Donna Summer stars Donna Summer.

How is Love to Love You, Donna Summer rated?

Love to Love You, Donna Summer has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Does Love to Love You, Donna Summer have a post-credit scene?

No. Love to Love You, Donna Summer has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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