The Watermelon Woman
First Run Features | Release Date: March 5, 1997 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
74
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews
Positive:
9
Mixed:
2
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
Village VoiceSerena Donadoni
Funny and smart, full of biting humor and astute observations about identity and history, Cheryl Dunye's audacious, joyous debut feature captures the process of falling hopelessly in love with the movies. Read full review
88
Chicago TribuneAchy Obejas
The Watermelon Woman is quite smart, remarkably sophisticated filmmaking for a first-time director. Read full review
88
Slant MagazineClayton Dillard
It's a film of such multitudinous interests and storytelling pursuits that its unfolding replicates the ecstasy of newfound romance. Read full review
80
The New York TimesStephen Holden
That it succeeds in being both stimulating and funny is a testament to the talent and open-heartedness of Ms. Dunye, who wrote and directed the movie and is its star. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Philadelphia filmmaker Cheryl Dunye has such a light, easy touch both in front and in back of the camera that you're in danger of not noticing how skillful a craftsman she really is or how deftly she raises serious issues of race and sexual orientation in The Watermelon Woman. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
Dunye's film is smart, sexy (the interracial lesbian lovemaking scene prompted an infamous little ruckus over at the NEA a while back), funny, historically aware, and stunningly contemporary. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleRuthe Stein
Dunye's engaging personality quickly wins you over. She deserves to be a character in a movie; she's more interesting than most. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerSteven Rea
The Watermelon Woman is a thoughtful, charming movie that takes its audience along on a journey of self-discovery - without ever taking itself too seriously. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeJay Carr
Although Watermelon Woman is at times rudimentary and slight, it's saved by its humor and its way of tweaking political correctness. [9 May 1997, p.C6]
60
New York Daily NewsDave Kehr
Dunye's salvation is her sense of humor. She's good at creating light, bantering dialogue, and there are a couple of sharp, satirical scenes. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
Although it contains funny moments, the deliberately disjointed whole is too cute for its own good. Read full review
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