My Flesh and Blood
Home Box Office (HBO) | Release Date: November 28, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
78
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews
Positive:
16
Mixed:
1
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
The New York TimesStephen Holden
In what has been called the Year of the Documentary, "My Flesh and Blood" stands beside "Capturing the Friedmans" and "The Fog of War" as an unforgettable experience. Read full review
100
San Francisco ChronicleJonathan Curiel
The experiences of this family from Fairfield will resonate with moviegoers around the country. Read full review
100
PremierePeter Debruge
With My Flesh and Blood, Karsh finds a worthy subject in the constant day-to-day challenges facing a truly extraordinary family. Read full review
90
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
The singular achievement of Jonathan Karsh's graceful and rigorous documentary is that he enables his audiences to see his heroine's family through her very clear but always loving eyes. Read full review
90
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
Demanding but deeply affecting, My Flesh and Blood ultimately takes on a literal, highly visceral meaning that transcends notions of conventional family dynamics. Read full review
90
Washington PostAnn Hornaday
For an agonizing and ultimately transcendent cinematic portrait of sacrifice, love and saving grace, audiences need look no further than this unpretentious and deeply moving film. Read full review
88
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
Susan Tom has her hands full in Jonathan Karsh's documentary My Flesh and Blood -- she's dealing with her 13 children, most adopted, some with serious maladies. Rarely does one encounter such capable hands. Read full review
80
Film ThreatDoug Brunell
If you view life as being full of rainbows and ponies, you'll see this film as a remarkable display of courage and hope. If you wake up to reality, though, you'll see this as a depressing exercise in futility. Read full review
80
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
Mostly content to observe with wary admiration, the film doesn't offer any answers, and life robs the story of any sort of resolution, leaving only footage of one remarkable example of charity in action. Read full review
80
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
Poignant, heartbreaking proof that, sometimes, love is just not enough. Read full review
75
New York PostV.A. Musetto
Be warned: Some of the afflictions are so disturbing, you might have to turn your eyes from the children. Susan Tom doesn't have that option. And 11 children are all the better for it. Read full review
70
VarietyJoe Leydon
One leaves My Flesh and Blood with admiration for the lenser's craftsmanship, and for her ability to remain an unobtrusive observer during moments of extreme emotional turmoil. Read full review
70
Village VoiceDavid Ng
Single motherhood has seldom looked as daunting and enervating as it does in this unsentimental documentary. Read full review
70
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
Despite, or perhaps because of, the jollity that reigns in this household, one wants to ask the Mia Farrow question: Why does this woman keep surrounding herself with others who are completely reliant on her? Read full review
70
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Powerful and startlingly unsentimental. Read full review
70
Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern
By turns chilling, mysterious and inspiring; sometimes it's all of those at once.
50
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
You'd have to be a stone not to be affected by My Flesh and Blood, but the director, Jonathan Karsh, merges compassion with voyeurism until you can't tell the difference. Read full review
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