Review – Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox

Anyone who’s ever read even part of the label of a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s soap can’t help but wonder what kind of person comes up with such a thing. Well, question answered. This documentary makes good use of old interviews with the man himself, new interviews with his kids and employees, and other sources to put together as coherent as possible a tale of Bronner’s early years, the foundation of his company, his philosophy, his time in an asylum, and so on. Occasionally the production dips into person-on-the-street with the soap’s hippie fan base. It also spends a great deal of time following the good doctor’s son Ralph, who appears to be the only one of the next generation to follow in his father’s eccentric footsteps rather than holding a position of responsibility with the company. Still, overall it’s an interesting movie. Mildly amusing