Obit
Kino Lorber | Release Date: April 26, 2017 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
72
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
3
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperMay 18, 2017
You might think a documentary about the obituary writers at the New York Times would be a depressing, sobering, scholarly work — but it’s anything but. Read full review
88
Boston GlobeTy BurrMay 17, 2017
Vanessa Gould’s charming and soulful documentary Obit should convince the doubters and cheer those who already know. As someone who takes great pleasure in both reading and writing valedictions to the recently deceased, I can personally attest that the movie’s dead on. Read full review
88
Washington PostJane HorwitzMay 11, 2017
It is fascinating to watch the writers in “Obit” strive to do right by their subjects, warts and all. Read full review
88
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Julia CooperApr 26, 2017
Gould’s excellent documentary captures this elasticity, stretching the spectator to consider why bearing witness to a life collectively is so very worth the trouble. Read full review
80
The New York TimesGene SeymourApr 26, 2017
It is modest, observant, graceful and nonchalantly witty. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeApr 11, 2017
Engaging and lively. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleDavid LewisMay 10, 2017
The highly enjoyable documentary Obit finally gives credit to the storytellers who bring people to life one last time. Read full review
75
RogerEbert.comGodfrey CheshireApr 26, 2017
The fascinations of Obit, Vanessa Gould’s slick but entertaining documentary about the New York Times obituary department, operate on two levels. Read full review
75
Movie NationRoger MooreApr 26, 2017
Gould creates a fascinating portrait of the work and the patient, harried and detail-oriented folks who do it. Read full review
75
The Film StageJose SolísApr 26, 2017
It’s easy to forgive it for its shortcomings, for rarely does the idea of death elicit the warmth and utter charm as it does in this documentary. Read full review
75
ObserverRex ReedApr 21, 2017
Informative, fascinating and surprisingly funny documentary. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesKenneth TuranMay 4, 2017
A fun and informative documentary. Read full review
60
VarietyDennis HarveyApr 26, 2017
If, overall, Obit is merely pleasant in a predictable, innocuous way, it’s nonetheless well-crafted and moderately educational. Read full review
50
Village VoiceMelissa AndersonApr 26, 2017
Obit rarely strays from the anodyne tone of the advertorial. Read full review
50
Slant MagazineClayton DillardApr 23, 2017
The film ascribes to a conventionally contrapuntal take on the lives of those who spend all day surrounded by death. Read full review
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