64
Metascore
26 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80L.A. WeeklyL.A. WeeklyThe U.S. vs. John Lennon offers up the singer's famous, filmed confrontation with the ludicrously snotty New York Times writer Gloria Emerson, who calls Lennon "dear boy" as he heatedly attempts to defend the role of the artist in political discourse. No devious editing required here: Although Lennon seems to lose his composure in the encounter, Emerson looks an utter clown all on her own.
- 75Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanEntertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanTo me, the most potent dimension of The U.S. vs. John Lennon is the way that it captures the contradictory romanticism of Lennon the radical.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttThe Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttThe thing that shines through most clearly, though, is Lennon himself. His widow allowed unprecedented access to the family archives, which along with ample newsreel footage bring us his presence once again.
- 70Village VoiceJ. HobermanVillage VoiceJ. HobermanSnazzy, mawkish, and practically Pavlovian in recycling all requisite late-'60s images. Given its subject, though, this David Leaf–John Scheinfeld production is not only poignant but even topical.
- 70SalonAndrew O'HehirSalonAndrew O'HehirSheds some unexpected light on the uneven and still undigested career of one of the most paradoxical artists pop culture has yet produced.
- 70The New York TimesA.O. ScottThe New York TimesA.O. ScottOne of the best-known cultural figures of the past half-century, leaves the movie with little to do but add its sometimes sanctimonious voice to the chorus of praise and admiration.
- 70Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternWall Street JournalJoe MorgensternLoosely organized but still fascinating.
- 63New York PostLou LumenickNew York PostLou LumenickDocuments the Nixon administration's failed, almost comically inept attempt to deport the most political of The Beatles and his wife, Yoko Ono. Given the latter's cooperation with the filmmakers, it comes as no surprise the Lennons come off as saints.