The Providence Effect
Slowhand Cinema Releasing | Release Date: September 25, 2009 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
65
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
2
Negative:
1

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
Chicago ReaderAndrea Gronvall
This uplifting documentary breaks no new ground stylistically, but the story it tells is urgent and compelling. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
If anything is missing from this inspiring film, it is a deeper examination of why, given how common-sensical these approaches are, so few other schools have been able to accomplish what Providence St. Mel's has. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Impressive, although not quite the film it could have been. It asks few hard questions. Read full review
70
Village VoiceErnest Hardy
The film never completely shakes the feel of being more an advertisement than a documentary, but once it settles into a concrete illustration of Adams's philosophy ("You've got to believe and expect that the children can achieve"), it becomes riveting. Read full review
70
The New York TimesJeannette Catsoulis
More an infomercial than a movie, Rollin Binzer’s awed documentary is, at best, a well-earned tribute to one man’s unwavering vision and unrelenting hard work. Read full review
70
Washington PostRuth McCann
Though it drags on a bit, the film is certainly good-hearted, informative and relevant. We look through the doors of the St. Mel's classrooms and we see the whirrings of a school that can help a smart West Side kid land a spot at MIT. That, at least, is something to celebrate. Read full review
63
Chicago TribuneMichael Phillips
For the film to be truer to the school’s reputation, it would have had to dig a little deeper. Read full review
60
Time OutS. James Snyder
Swooning but shallow. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChroniclePeter Hartlaub
The Providence Effect" is flawed, but it's still a moving film. Read full review
38
New York PostV.A. Musetto
Adams and the school's students and teachers deserve an A-plus, although the film rates a much lower grade. It unfolds lifelessly, as Binzer parades a contingent of talking heads before the camera in what could pass for an infomercial. Read full review
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