67
Metascore
12 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 83Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerChristian Science MonitorPeter RainerMore than awe, the film provokes gratitude for what this man did.
- 80The New York TimesDaniel M. GoldThe New York TimesDaniel M. Gold[A] rich and fascinating biography.
- 80Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternWall Street JournalJoe MorgensternThe worst thing I can say about Rosenwald, a wonderful documentary by Aviva Kempner, is that it tends to ramble. I say it, though, in the spirit of the joyous New Orleans funeral march “Oh! Didn’t He Ramble.” How could Ms. Kempner’s narrative follow anything like a straight line when her subject is so rich and varied?
- 75Philadelphia InquirerSteven ReaPhiladelphia InquirerSteven ReaRosenwald tells the remarkable story of a remarkable man.
- 75Boston GlobePeter KeoughBoston GlobePeter KeoughLike her subject, Kempner’s film doesn’t try to be flashy or stylish. She adheres to the Ken Burns school of old footage, photos, period ads, newspaper stories and cartoons.
- 75Washington PostMichael O'SullivanWashington PostMichael O'SullivanRosenwald isn’t just a portrait of a great, selfless American and his powerful company, but an excavation of an ugly strain of our own history, and a reminder of what one person can do to uproot it.
- 70Los Angeles TimesKenneth TuranLos Angeles TimesKenneth TuranAs revealed by writer-director Aviva Kempner, it's not just the amount of money he donated that makes Rosenwald special, it's the specifics of who he gave it to and how and why he did it that sets him apart.
- 60The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckRosenwald is not always successful in doing full justice to its rich subject matter, suffering from pacing problems and occasionally feeling drawn-out in its feature-length running time.... But it certainly deserves kudos for bringing long overdue attention to this unsung figure whose life was one big mitzvah.
- 50Slant MagazineWes GreeneSlant MagazineWes GreeneDirector Aviva Kempner profile of Julius Rosenwald suggests a 60 Minutes segment stretched to feature length.
- 50Village VoiceDaphne HowlandVillage VoiceDaphne HowlandKempner's film, which has an eat-your-vegetables quality, runs long and suffers from a lack of focus.... Still, it's inspiring how Rosenwald, who took full advantage of capitalism's potential, also shared, passionately and generously, his windfall.