Absolute Wilson
New Yorker Films | Release Date: October 27, 2006 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
69
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
4
Negative:
0
Watch Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
An excellent introduction to the singular vision of avant-garde stage director Robert Wilson. Read full review
80
Village VoiceJohn Pritcher
The real value of this film is its treasure trove of archival footage, rare clips that document this genius of an artist as a young man. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesCarina Chocano
Impressive as is Wilson's output and oeuvre, it's the fully-engaged, aesthetically driven life that fascinates. And Otto-Bernstein's movie is a portrait of an artist at his most essential, in every sense. Read full review
75
Seattle Post-IntelligencerBill White
Katharina Otto-Bernstein's oral history of Wilson's life and work, narrated by Wilson, with a handful of sycophants joining in on the choruses, is monstrously one-sided. It does, however, offer insights into the director's methods and motivations. Read full review
75
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Surprisingly square portrait of avant-garde artist and director Robert Wilson. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneChris Jones
Not only does this film offer a comprehensive portrait of a fascinating and underexplored leader of the American avant-garde in the late 20th Century, it ends up making some compelling connections between his works and the rich, occasionally self-destructive trajectory of the life that forged them. Read full review
70
VarietyEddie Cockrell
A surprisingly conventional portrait of a decidedly unconventional man. Read full review
70
The New York TimesA.O. Scott
There is plenty of substance in Absolute Wilson, as it provides a concise and absorbing portrait of a powerful creative personality. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt
The film penetrates the myth and mythos surrounding Wilson, making his works more accessible and open to those of us who sometimes puzzle over the methods and meanings in his cerebral, psychologically complex expressionism. The film should engender an art house following in sophisticated urban venues before its HBO broadcast. Read full review
70
The New RepublicStanley Kauffmann
This film is a valuable signet of Wilson's carefully articulated independence. Read full review
63
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
The result is a rather conventional, Biography Channel-style portrait of a man who helped change the face of theater in the last quarter of the 20th century. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeLouise Kennedy
Absolute Wilson may not be original, but Wilson absolutely is. And for the glimmers of that originality that shine through here, the film is worth watching. Read full review
60
SalonAndrew O'Hehir
Absolute Wilson changed my views of Wilson as a person tremendously, and at least gave me some useful context for his art. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklySteve Mikulan
Wilson is articulate and ironic, and Otto-Bernstein mostly shields us from his tantrums and critics. Read full review
50
Washington PostPeter Marks
Although the film shows many photographs and videos of his performances, it never allows a particularly coherent assessment of any of them. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
Befuddling. Read full review
More From This Movie

69 Critic Reviews

tbd User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL