Circus of Books
Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): April 22, 2020 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
74
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews
Positive:
9
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
IndieWireJude DryApr 15, 2020
Karen’s dogged pragmatism, and her complex relationship to the smut that provided her family’s livelihood for thirty years, is why Circus of Books is such a rare delight — and a nearly perfect documentary. Read full review
88
RogerEbert.comMatt FagerholmApr 22, 2020
Resembling Maude Apatow in her youth, Rachel is a richly fascinating figure in her own right, and though she originally hadn’t planned on putting herself in the film, she wisely chose to have her face on camera (a la Bing Liu in “Minding the Gap”) when interviewing Josh, which heightens the emotional impact of their scenes together considerably. Read full review
80
Film ThreatChuck FosterApr 25, 2020
This extreme level of intimacy also becomes the film’s main drawback, however, as Mason is so close to her subjects that there’s no way she can possibly remain impartial. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterKeith UhlichApr 15, 2020
[A] very funny, very moving documentary. Read full review
75
Movie NationRoger MooreApr 15, 2020
The film doesn’t judge, either. Viewers who might cringe at the subject matter can decide for themselves if the sweeping changes in the culture that the ensuing decades have brought have been glorious, catastrophic or a seriously mixed bag. Read full review
70
Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternApr 23, 2020
People can indeed live at war with themselves and not know it. Here’s a case of great things happening once peace is declared. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesGlenn WhippApr 22, 2020
Rachel Mason performs a nice bit of misdirection with the film, starting with humorous juxtapositions of this nice, elderly Jewish couple running a gay porn shop and then moving toward a poignant story of acceptance. Read full review
70
The New York TimesTeo BugbeeApr 22, 2020
The remembrances are the movie’s heart — not a family secret, but a community’s pride. Read full review
70
VarietyPeter DebrugeApr 15, 2020
Circus of Books is an affectionate look at one of the most unusual mom and pop businesses in America, directed by the person who knew Mom and Pop best. Read full review
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