Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg
International Film Circuit | Release Date: July 10, 2009 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
69
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews
Positive:
17
Mixed:
3
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
San Francisco ChronicleLeba Hertz
Kempner once again educates and entertains with unexpected tidbits and just plain good old-fashioned filmmaking. Read full review
88
Chicago TribuneMichael Phillips
Watching Loeb opposite Berg, you're reminded of the miracles of chemistry and the luck of the draw when it comes to casting a show -- any show. Read full review
80
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
There's far more to this groundbreaker who built an empire in the face of formidable challenges. So why would you miss it? Go already. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorPeter Rainer
In Aviva Kempner's affectionate documentary Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, Berg, who once polled second only to Eleanor Roosevelt as one of America's most respected females, is given her due. Or at least her showbiz due. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Berg was the pioneer for an indie TV entrepreneur like Lucille Ball. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
In Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, Kempner gives us a balance of artist and alter ego, introducing us to a woman we'd like to know even better. Read full review
75
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
It’s absolutely charming to be reminded of -- or, in most cases, introduced to -- Berg and her particular genius. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
Well-spoken but humorously self-deprecating, Berg admits that, between the hours spent writing, rehearsing and performing, she spends more of her life as Molly than she does as herself. Read full review
70
Village VoiceElla Taylor
Celebratory but clear-eyed portrait of Gertrude Berg. Read full review
70
The New York TimesStephen Holden
The film could be described as Exhibit A in a study of media celebrity and collective forgetfulness in the age of information overload. Read full review
70
Washington PostPaul Farhi
As is, this generally excellent portrait does much to fill the void, restoring an unfortunately forgotten figure to her rightful place among broadcasting's trailblazers. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterDoris Toumarkine
Kempner has done everything right by organizing her bountiful material into a fascinating portrait of a worthy personality and her era and touching upon related issues like the impact of the blacklist and the alchemy of celebrity. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesGary Goldstein
Entertaining, nostalgic and well-organized documentary. Read full review
70
Chicago ReaderAndrea Gronvall
It is only in the sequence about Berg's popular costar Philip Loeb that Aviva Kempner's documentary resonates. Loeb, an ardent union activist who was blacklisted during the McCarthy hearings, comes across as more identifiably human than the workaholic Berg, for all her fictional character's warmth and her many admirers' tributes. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
Best of all, though, is the kinescope footage of the televised version's early episodes, which eerily resemble nothing so much as every other TV sitcom to follow, Seinfeld included. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeMark Feeney
The documentary, like the series, is haimish in the extreme - cozy, warm, homey. Read full review
63
St. Louis Post-DispatchJoe Williams
We're left with an impression of a vivacious pioneer; but warm shouldn't have to mean fuzzy. Read full review
60
Film ThreatPhil Hall
For those who never heard of "The Goldbergs" and its amazing star, Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg will provide a special introduction to a special person. Read full review
60
VarietyRonnie Scheib
Director-producer Aviva Kempner's well-researched but unchallenging docu, like "The Goldbergs" itself, has cross-cultural appeal for Jews and goyim alike. Read full review
58
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
Listening to Berg's characters talk so naturally, honestly, and colorfully about the small, surmountable problems of their daily life is so engaging that whenever Kempner cuts away to another dry historian or fervent fan, it's doubly aggravating. Read full review
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