The Island President
Samuel Goldwyn Films | Release Date: March 28, 2012 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
72
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
2
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
SalonAndrew O'HehirMar 31, 2012
Nasheed has traveled the world describing the Maldives as the Poland of global warming - meaning, of course, Poland in 1939. If his country cannot be saved from rising sea levels, he maintains, then there may be no saving Tokyo or Mumbai or New Orleans or New York. Read full review
83
Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerApr 6, 2012
Nasheed is no saint, and if he had remained in office, maybe, as with so many others, he would have capitulated to politics as usual. But his temper, if not his outcome, is inspiring. Read full review
80
Boxoffice MagazinePhil ContrinoApr 3, 2012
A gripping new documentary that's essential viewing for anybody who believes that the impact of global warming is tomorrow's problem. Read full review
80
EmpirePatrick PetersMar 31, 2012
A fascinating insight into the disparity between rich and poor, and powerful nations and their less muscle-flexing neighbours. And, unless you're a fish, it's also pretty darn scary. Read full review
80
The GuardianPeter BradshawMar 29, 2012
Could Nasheed be the political Prospero to save the island – and the planet? Well, now he is out of power, and the Copenhagen summit was a disappointment. Perhaps his advocacy will help to bring the climate change issue back into political fashion. Read full review
80
Total FilmSam WigleyMar 28, 2012
Nasheed may be a small fish in a big geopolitical pond, but his enterprise and optimism are a welcome complement to eco doc doom and gloom. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleWalter AddiegoMar 31, 2012
A mostly compelling documentary about that rarest of breeds, an appealing politician. Read full review
75
Slant MagazineAndrew SchenkerMar 25, 2012
The film successfully positions its point of view with the developing countries that suffer the most immediate consequences of global warming rather than the developed countries most responsible for climate change and from whose citizenry Jon Shenk's prospective audience is likely to be drawn. Read full review
70
Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternMar 29, 2012
Jon Shenk's fascinating documentary feature The Island President personalizes the threat of global warming, and nationalizes it too, by focusing on Mohamed Nasheed, the former president of the Maldives. Read full review
70
The New York TimesA.O. ScottMar 29, 2012
The hope that infuses this movie makes it all the more upsetting to walk out of the theater and contemplate a looming disaster that the world's leaders seem unable to prevent. Read full review
70
VarietyPeter DebrugeMar 25, 2012
In the face of rising sea levels, the Maldive Islands are the Alamo, and environmental crusader Mohamed Nasheed is their Davy Crockett. Boasting astonishing access, director Jon Shenk's The Island President documents a brave battle against overwhelming odds. Read full review
67
The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayMar 28, 2012
The first half hour shows a dynamic politician who gets things done; the last hour shows him ground to dust by diplomats. Read full review
60
Village VoiceMelissa AndersonMar 27, 2012
The Island President also shows how the most high-minded idealists inevitably become deal-makers: The toothless agreement eventually ratified in Copenhagen - which calls for but doesn't require CO2 reductions - is lauded by Nasheed as "a very good, planet-saving document." Read full review
60
Time OutKeith UhlichMar 27, 2012
It's fascinating to be so close to a then-sitting head of state as he negotiates for his homeland's survival, and the news that Nasheed was recently deposed in a coup by Gayoom loyalists makes the hard-won victories he did secure all the more poignant. Read full review
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