Maryam
Streetlight Films | Release Date: February 22, 2002 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
65
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews
Positive:
11
Mixed:
7
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
SalonAndrew O'Hehir
This movie may not have the highest production values you've ever seen, but it's the work of an artist, one whose view of America, history and the awkwardness of human life is generous and deep. Read full review
90
New Times (L.A.)Robert Wilonsky
It's a wise and powerful tale of race and culture forcefully told, with superb performances throughout. Read full review
90
Film ThreatRich Cline
First-time writer-director Serry shows a remarkable gift for storytelling with this moving, effective little film. Read full review
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Maryam is more timely now than ever. Read full review
80
Chicago ReaderTed Shen
The film is full of finely observed details. Read full review
80
Village VoiceLeslie Camhi
Serry perfectly captures the peculiar climate, creating uncanny echoes with today's situation. Persian stars Shaun Toub and Shohreh Aghdashloo are extremely convincing as Maryam's parents. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneLoren King
A searing reminder of the relevance of recent history and of the timeless power of fiction to humanize people and crystallize sweeping events into personal drama. Read full review
70
Washington PostDesson Thomson
High on melodrama. But it's emotionally engrossing, too, thanks to strong, credible performances from the whole cast. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Carefully crafted, notably in its deft dramatic structuring, and has become timely in a way its maker could never have anticipated. Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Though it's ultimately rather heavy-handed, this drama about an Iranian-American family is heartfelt and topical. Read full review
63
New York PostV.A. Musetto
Well-meaning but flawed drama. Read full review
60
VarietyLael Loewenstein
A lovely, intricate coming-of-age portrait set in a cross-cultural context. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Its subject -- ethnic profiling during a time of international crisis -- could hardly be more contemporary. Read full review
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
This modestly produced drama isn't acted or directed with much flair, but it shows a welcome awareness of the complex links between personal and political impulses. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleJonathan Curiel
Forget the sometimes stilted acting. Forget the occasional scenes that are borderline cliched. Instead, focus on the message and the raw emotion. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
Maryam is absorbing and insightful when Serry focuses on the subtleties of a family's generational and cultural conflict, but the film veers regularly into Movie Of The Week (or even Afterschool Special) "big moments" that play like forced attempts to tell a personal story while insecurely adhering to a commercial formula. Read full review
50
L.A. WeeklyErnest Hardy
Where the young writer-director impresses is in the unforced sketching of era details (gas lines, the tacky energy of roller-skating rinks), in the sharp psychological insight into his lead characters, and in the performances he pulls from his actors. Read full review
40
The New York TimesA.O. Scott
There's not much here; some of the shots feel so static that you wonder if they're being rehearsed before your eyes. Read full review
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