63
Metascore
8 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75New York PostV.A. MusettoNew York PostV.A. MusettoThe 66-year-old African-American, the subject of the inspiring documentary A Man Named Pearl, doesn't have scissors where his hands should be, but he turns trees and bushes into topiary sculptures every bit as amazing as the ones Johnny Depp's character crafts in the Tim Burton film.
- 75Boston GlobeWesley MorrisBoston GlobeWesley MorrisThis is moviemaking that honors the craftsmanship of its subject.
- 70Village VoiceVillage VoiceFeature-length elaborations on quirky, inspiring human-interest stories are generally to be avoided, but I'll make an exception for A Man Named Pearl.
- 70The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisThe New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisAssembled without frills or fuss, A Man Named Pearl is as much a portrait of a small Southern town as of an unassuming black folk artist.
- Though the film could've used more technical insight into Pearl's artistic process, it's hard not to be stirred by this hopeful portrait.
- Pearl, in other words, is one of those guys put on earth to make the rest of us feel like we're wasting our lives.
- 50San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco ChronicleA pleasant but mild-mannered experience.
- 40Film ThreatPhil HallFilm ThreatPhil HallWhile Fryar is a charming man and his work clearly deserves recognition, A Man Called Pearl is an obvious case of building a three-story house on a one-story foundation. Really, can you make a feature-length film about a man who carves unique shapes out of trees, shrubs and bushes?