I'll Sing for You
First Run Features | Release Date: June 4, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
61
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
5
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
Chicago ReaderFred Camper
Kar Kar's singing is wonderfully expressive, and an improvised song to his wife at her grave site demonstrates the emotional wellspring of his music. Read full review
80
VarietyKen Eisner
Educational value aside, pic is exciting for its extended performance sequences, with the most notable finding Traore and Farke strolling with guitars through the acoustically amazing atrium of an abandoned mud schoolhouse. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeTy Burr
For fans of African music, "Sing" is a rich archeological dig; for newcomers with open ears, it might be a revelation. Read full review
70
Village VoiceLaura Sinagra
The reverent pacing lags a bit, but the film's meditation on the struggle to find spirituality that reconciles Islam with tribal belief systems is powerful in its understatement, and its wordless observation of France's Malian community quietly evidences daily cultural preservation amid the hard labor. Read full review
70
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
For many, the soundtrack to this beautifully shot film will probably mark their first encounter with Traore and the intoxicating sounds of his unique brand of Malian blues. Chances are it won't be their last. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
It does offer plenty of musical numbers and an impressionistic portrait of his life and times. Read full review
67
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
One of those sanctifying docs that rambles when it should explore. Read full review
63
New York PostV.A. Musetto
Enjoyable if only to hear KarKar perform his mournful and personal songs, including a tender tribute to his late wife. Read full review
60
Film ThreatPhil Hall
A meandering and disappointing documentary about one of Africa's most beloved yet elusive musical giants. Read full review
60
The New York TimesDave Kehr
Informal, pleasant film that ably captures Mr. Traoré's spirit. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
Director Jacques Sarasin lazily relies on a talking-heads/archival-footage approach to tell Traoré's story, doing little to put it in context and assuming a lot more knowledge of Malian history than most viewers possess. Read full review
50
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
It never really feels like we've gotten to know the man himself, leaving the figure at the heart of I'll Sing for You a cipher. Read full review
50
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
What they say, mostly over black-and-white stills from his early career and meandering footage of desolate Mali, could be said in 10 minutes. The good news is that much of the remaining documentary is devoted to Kar Kar's elegant voice and exquisite guitar playing. Read full review
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