A Jihad for Love
First Run Features | Release Date: May 21, 2008 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
55
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews
Positive:
5
Mixed:
9
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Entertainment WeeklyChris Nashawaty
Noble in intention but crude in execution. Read full review
75
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
Even though the message that people should have the right to love whomever they want is hardy groundbreaking, Parvez captures some interesting conversations about what it means to be gay and Muslim. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeMichael Hardy
Director Parvez Sharma, a gay Muslim himself, takes pains to show the wide range of Islam's attitudes toward homosexuality. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleDavid Wiegand
Often fascinating and provocative, although, as a film, it feels a bit long and somewhat repetitive. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
A courageous documentary on the plight of gays in the Muslim world. Read full review
60
The New York TimesNathan Lee
Mr. Sharma's film emphasizes testimony over context to such a degree that it feels at first of little use to anyone except gay Muslims who might take comfort in knowing they're not alone. But the documentary gains depth of feeling as it goes and even develops something of a nail-biting narrative. Read full review
60
Film ThreatPhil Hall
Rich with compelling, often heartbreaking stories. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
We never learn why most of his subjects remain loyal to a faith that so explicitly rejects them. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterRay Bennett
Much of what is shown onscreen is atmospheric filler, while the various characters describe being made outcasts because of their sexuality while holding on to their commitment to their faith. Read full review
50
VarietyDennis Harvey
Predicament makes the picture kin to 2001's "Trembling Before G-d," about gay Orthodox Jews. Both docs share the same fascination and limitation. Read full review
50
Village VoiceJim Ridley
Muslims, Jews, and Christians may have their, oh, occasional differences, but as an Islamic scholar observes early in Parvez Sharma's documentary, there is one point on which the world's divine religions agree: Homosexuality is a crime. Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Kamal AL-Solaylee
Conclusions and answers are perhaps luxuries that Sharma's film can't afford. Read full review
50
Washington PostPhilip Kennicott
The director raises the question that haunts the whole film: Who should feel shame: gay Muslims or the Muslims who oppress them? Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
Technically, Jihad's images and assemblage seem on par for a first-time filmmaker, though the film's message is a moving plaint. Read full review
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