Chavela
Music Box Films | Release Date: October 4, 2017 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
68
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
1
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
TheWrapClaudia PuigOct 2, 2017
The captivating documentary Chavela, directed by Catherine Gund (“Born to Fly”) and Daresha Kyi, mesmerizes with its impressionistic blend of archival photos, musical performances, concert footage and candid interviews with the legendary singer herself, as well with her ardent friends like Pedro Almodóvar and former lovers. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesSheri LindenOct 5, 2017
Celebrating a great ranchera interpreter without sugarcoating her, this straightforward film honors her approach. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Brad WheelerDec 7, 2017
The story is simply told: the rise, fall and comeback of a lesbian trailblazer and soul-crushed singer. Chavela the person is more fascinating than Chavela the film – a tequila-sunrise love letter to an unknown icon. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneMichael PhillipsOct 19, 2017
More than a female singing cowboy, Vargas was ranchera incarnate, whether singing the material of drinking companion Jose Alfredo Jimenez or her own cathartic cries from the heart. The film is a fond but clear-eyed tribute. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenNov 22, 2017
A well-chosen collection of friends and former lovers provides reminiscences that flesh out Chavela’s challenging personality. However, the documentary provides scant information about the challenges Chavela faced in her career. Read full review
63
Washington PostMark JenkinsOct 26, 2017
The result is a solid if conventional bio. Read full review
63
RogerEbert.comNick AllenOct 5, 2017
The film is too ordinary to feel like it does her legacy complete artistic justice. Read full review
63
Slant MagazineWes GreeneOct 2, 2017
The film's hopscotching-in-time structure, informed by specific remembrances of Chavela Vargas's life, is refreshingly unconventional. Read full review
50
The New York TimesBen KenigsbergOct 3, 2017
Those looking to learn the basic outlines of the life of the singer Chavela Vargas could do worse than watch Chavela, but this plodding documentary from Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi rarely transcends simple biography Read full review
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