82
Metascore
13 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Los Angeles TimesKevin ThomasLos Angeles TimesKevin ThomasFilmmaking at its most fearless, with Ostergaard creating a suspenseful, harrowing account of his original key subject, known only as "Joshua."
- 100EmpireEmpireCaptivating and essential viewing.
- 90Village VoiceVillage VoiceThere was no happy ending, but if Burma VJ's account of the efficacy of dictatorship threatens to crush you, the sight of a sturdy young back disappearing into the mountains, returning from a Thailand hideout for another round of bearing witness, should make your heart burst.
- 90The New York TimesA.O. ScottThe New York TimesA.O. ScottA rich, thought-provoking film.
- 89Austin ChronicleMarc SavlovAustin ChronicleMarc SavlovIt's the truth, unshackled and captured against all odds, and it's one of the most powerful documentary films I have ever seen, period.
- 88Boston GlobeTy BurrBoston GlobeTy BurrBurma VJ’ retorts that eyes and ears are everywhere in our ever-tightening global communications mesh. Voices, too, and they get heard. The generals and the ayatollahs have every right to be scared.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterThe Hollywood ReporterIn preparing Burma VJ, Ostergaard decided to reconstruct some scenes with scripted dialogue -- in part to explain events, but also to protect the participants. This material, shot in darkened offices and apartments, feels both accurate and necessary.
- 80New York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanNew York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanAnyone who doubts that a single individual can make a political impact should see Anders Østergaard’s gripping documentary.
- 70VarietyVarietyHas some style as well as compelling content.
- 50New York PostV.A. MusettoNew York PostV.A. MusettoThe news footage, so powerful on its own, needs no enhancement. The dramatized scenes only slow the film's momentum.