American Promise

Name: American Promise
Genre: Documentary
Released: October 18, 2013
Duration: 135 min
Rating: 67

2013

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Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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American Promise

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Movie Details & Credits

P.O.V. | Release Date: October 18, 2013 | Not Rated

Summary: This intimate documentary follows the 12-year journey of two African-American families as they navigate the ups and downs of educating their sons.

Director: Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 135 min

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Critic Reviews

Ernest Hardy

Oct 24, 2013

The film ends on up notes, but its strength is that it's not really a feel-good movie, instead shining a light on both how far we have come in terms of race in America and how very far we still have to go. Read full review

Duane Byrge

Oct 21, 2013

American Promise shows the emotional toll that each boy endures, not only from the image that their privileged peers have of minority males but, accordingly, their own lack of confidence. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Oct 24, 2013

Because the stories are so specific, and because they play out over such a long period of time, it is hard not to be fascinated by this intimate look at how particular families deal with the great parental challenge of shepherding their children through the all-important educational experience. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

Oct 16, 2013

Ultimately, American Promise seems split between a personal perspective and a broader one. It’s a bold experiment that’s also a textbook case of filmmakers being too close to their material. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Oct 25, 2013

Despite the film’s intentions, Idris and Seun can’t really stand in for anybody but themselves. What they go through, as middle-class kids in a privileged school system, seems far less race-based than the filmmakers would have us believe. Read full review

Farran Smith Nehme

Oct 17, 2013

It’s a baggy movie, with some things (such as whether Idris taking Ritalin in high school improved his performance) unexplained, and it may appeal most to those raising kids themselves. Read full review

Walter Addiego

Nov 14, 2013

By the end you can't help but wonder whether it was a good idea to keep the youngsters under camera scrutiny for more than 12 years. Read full review

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