Lost Boys of Sudan
Shadow Distribution | Release Date: February 18, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
78
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews
Positive:
18
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
San Francisco ChronicleJonathan Curiel
From the standpoint of humanizing Sudan's continuing refugee problem, Lost Boys is a gem. It doesn't preach. It doesn't prettify. Read full review
100
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
A riveting movie. Read full review
88
Chicago TribuneAllison Benedikt
The message of this movie could not be any clearer: America is no heaven on earth. Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Yearns to be optimistic (juxtaposed with the disaster of Sudan, it certainly has the right to be), yet that only ends up underscoring its ache of sadness. Read full review
83
Portland OregonianKaren Karbo
In the rather weak ending, we aren't sure what will become of Peter and Santino. Read full review
80
VarietyDennis Harvey
A potent, engrossing look at several young refugees from Sudan's disastrous, endless civil war who've been relocated to the U.S. Read full review
80
The New York TimesA.O. Scott
Getting an audience so caught up is no small feat; it is a tribute to the directors' storytelling. Read full review
80
Village VoiceMichael Atkinson
Without the intrusion of voice-overs or interviews, Mylan and Shenk attained a remarkable intimacy with the strapping, earnest, startlingly beautiful teenagers. Read full review
80
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
The film offers a rare and fascinating firsthand look at two sides of the modern immigrant experience. Read full review
80
L.A. WeeklyErnest Hardy
The filmmakers deftly capture the boys' depression and triumphs, but something of the American character -- the generosity and the arrogance -- as well. Read full review
80
Dallas ObserverMelissa Levine
This is a beautiful, important film, and you should see it. Read full review
75
New York PostV.A. Musetto
Mylan and Shenk provide an engrossing look at these bright, clean-cut young men and the obstacles they faced in "the land of plenty." In doing so, the filmmakers also reveal a lot about the American character. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerSteven Rea
The plain, reportorial style of Lost Boys -- which simply records its subjects in various settings and situations -- results in a film that doesn't preach, doesn't politicize. Read full review
70
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
This excellent film, which is both uplifting and troubling, also makes crystal clear what Peter gradually gives up in order to fit in as best he can: His culture. Read full review
70
New York Magazine (Vulture)Peter Rainer
A pretty good documentary about a great subject. Read full review
70
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
A touching documentary on the immigrant experience -- or at least one very tough slice of it. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesManohla Dargis
Too short by half, Lost Boys of Sudan affords frustratingly little by way of real analysis and history. But it does introduce us to two extraordinary young men whose faith in this country is almost as unbearably sad as their stories. Read full review
70
Chicago ReaderAndrea Gronvall
Moving documentary. Read full review
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