Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus in “The Minimalists: Less Is Now” (2021). IMDb photo

I’ve read three books now on this subject — minimalist living.

Marie Kondo’s “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” started this reviewer off on a journey to get rid of the 75 million things that surround my life.

Then came Fumio Sasaki’s “Goodbye, Things,” and I was off on that. None of it worked out, so I thought I would pick up on this new Netflix streamer, “The Minimalists,” hoping it would rekindle my efforts to find some hope in digging out of my “stuff.”

I chose it because, unlike the books, “The Minimalists” puts a human face, in fact, dozens of human faces on the problem.

The basic 53-minute film uses the “lives and philosophies of the acclaimed duo dubbed The Minimalists (Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus).”

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus in “The Minimalists: Less Is Now” (2021). IMDb photo

Josh and Ryan take us back to their tortured childhood lives, where they tell us that they were losers, overweight, unpopular kids who grew up in poor, broken homes.

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At that point, I almost gave up on it. I had come here to go deep on the dilemma and learn something big.

I finally did.

The two very attractive, bright and personal guys pack big suitcases, and then unpack them, taking only the essentials, and include a tip on how to pack your underwear.

Then to the road, where their director Matt D’Avella gives them a country full of other poor souls suffering from what radio show host and author Dave Ramsey coins the term “stuff-itis.”

The show goes on as they interview dozens of folks like myself. I have eight hoodies in different colors and matching socks.

Eventually, the two put together a book, “Everything That Remains” that sets them for readings in malls, garages, radio shows and eventually packed auditoriums, where they only expect a 100 people and wind up with standing room only. Voila, the American success story.

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By the way I’ve ordered the book from Amazon for $16.95.

Which, by the way is ironic, because Amazon is the giant source of discontent for people who collect what the authors call “meaningless” clutter. Funny.

So buy the book and make Amazon richer, but take an hour to view “The Minimalists”on Netflix, because they’re going to introduce you to a world of colorful characters from TV hosts to bartenders and firefighters who suffer from too much “stuff.” It’s fun to watch, and you’ll like the the guys.

The Minimalists: Less is Now” now streaming on Netflix.

J.P. Devine of Waterville is a former stage and screen actor.

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