Life and Debt
New Yorker Films | Release Date: June 16, 2001 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
67
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews
Positive:
17
Mixed:
1
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
The New York TimesStephen Holden
Offers the clearest analysis of globalization and its negative effects that I've ever seen on a movie or television screen. Read full review
90
Village VoiceLenora Todaro
Devastating, artful, and intelligent documentary. Read full review
90
L.A. WeeklyErnest Hardy
Black's cool-headed but blistering indictment of globalization and the racist international economic policies that have shoved that country into crushing poverty. Read full review
83
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
It's smart, instructive political cinema that tackles complex issues of the globalization with practical examples and vivid images and presents its effects in immediate human terms. Read full review
80
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
After viewing documentarian Stephanie Black's dour exegesis of the wrecked Jamaican economy -- only the most insensitive vacationer will want to set foot anywhere near the resorts and beaches of Montego Bay. Read full review
80
New Times (L.A.)Robert Wilonsky
Hard to watch, harder still to ignore. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
To paraphrase Nathan McCall, this film makes you wanna holler. Read full review
75
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
This is a sophisticated and unsettling documentary marred only by a voice-over taken from the writings of Jamaica Kincaid. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneLoren King
A searing documentary with an agenda.
75
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
What's frustrating for the viewer who wants to support the Jamaican economy is that "Life and Debt" does not suggest how Jamaica-lovers can help the island's citizens. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeLoren King
Employs both eloquent and down-to-earth methods to explain the complex reasons why so many of the world's developing countries remain caught in an economic quagmire that prevents them from becoming self-sufficient. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Blends compassion for individuals with explanations of the socioenonomic factors that influence them. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
If you're curious about why the demonstrators are so angry, this is why they're so angry. Read full review
70
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
The only criticism that can possibly be leveled at Black's film is its narrow focus, but it's not hard to extrapolate. Read full review
70
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Powerfully illustrates what globalization has been doing to underdeveloped countries around the world. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
The damning commentary and revelations about the perils of globalization, not just for Jamaica but developing countries the world over, do come across loud and clear. Read full review
63
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
Often makes for a compelling comedy-drama about family ties. It's only when the cancer takes center stage that the movie feels like a wash. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
It's an intelligent movie about economics. As such, it would probably make more sense to have it reviewed by economists than film critics. Read full review
25
New York PostJonathan Foreman
Self-righteous, economically illiterate and sometimes flatly dishonest.
10
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
Tough to respect a documentary that doesn't play fair. Anyone interested in the subject would be better off spending Life And Debt's torturous 80-minute running time with a good article on the topic. Read full review
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