America to Me

:

Season 1
  • Network: Starz
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 26, 2018
User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 48 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 48
  3. Negative: 19 out of 48
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User Reviews

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  1. coltivator
    Aug 28, 2018
    10
    Provides an insightful look into something so often depicted exclusively for exploitation, laughs, or entertainment: the lives of high schoolers. The series is the best depiction I have ever seen of what it actually looks and feels like to be in high school, doing what Eighth Grade did for the middle school experience except with people's real lives. You get drawn into the kids lives andProvides an insightful look into something so often depicted exclusively for exploitation, laughs, or entertainment: the lives of high schoolers. The series is the best depiction I have ever seen of what it actually looks and feels like to be in high school, doing what Eighth Grade did for the middle school experience except with people's real lives. You get drawn into the kids lives and hooked on seeing how their choir audition is going to go or what's gonna happen at homecoming or are they going to pass this test or are they going to make weight for wrestling, etc. While simultaneously the series's portrayal of the complex inner lives of students who so often get glossed over in media representations is able to give a macroscopic portrait of the state of education in America specifically regarding what it is like to be a non-white student in a system built for white students, and it does so with absolute deft and never feeling heavy handed. Total must watch for any students, parents, teachers, coaches, administrators, and anyone around the world of education.… Expand
  2. DukeCumberjack
    Aug 27, 2018
    7
    After the first two episodes it's pretty good but not as good as I had hoped after reading the reviews. It's Steve James so you can expect quality film-making, but be prepared for an overbearing and somewhat self-serving racial theme. Those looking for a banger like Hoop Dreams will get some compelling stories, however you may feel smothered by an incredibly pessimistic and honestlyAfter the first two episodes it's pretty good but not as good as I had hoped after reading the reviews. It's Steve James so you can expect quality film-making, but be prepared for an overbearing and somewhat self-serving racial theme. Those looking for a banger like Hoop Dreams will get some compelling stories, however you may feel smothered by an incredibly pessimistic and honestly anti-progressive message.

    I may be naive, but focusing incessantly on what divides us is not a trend in the right direction. The addiction to racial differences I see as an American really bums me out sometimes. It is absolutely overwhelming on any side of the political spectrum. I wish film and television would present stories such as these differently as to let the next generation know they are more than just a color.

    To those giving this series a zero: I empathize with (some of) your criticisms but please, don't trash something hundreds of people worked incredibly hard on because you can't see passed a political message. I am going to keep watching because I respect Steve James and think I could learn something from these kids. I hope you do too.    … Expand
  3. dandollar
    Oct 10, 2018
    8
    Looks like this show has baited out all the racists. I'm on the 8th episode (out of 10 I believe). It's a great documentary that really highlights not only the racial divide still incredibly prevalent in schools, but also just what it's like to come of age as a millennial in this era. It's overall not quite as gripping as the desperate inner city struggle that Hoop Dreams presented (norLooks like this show has baited out all the racists. I'm on the 8th episode (out of 10 I believe). It's a great documentary that really highlights not only the racial divide still incredibly prevalent in schools, but also just what it's like to come of age as a millennial in this era. It's overall not quite as gripping as the desperate inner city struggle that Hoop Dreams presented (nor should anyone expect it to be, it's about high school in a near middle-income suburb), but I'm still loving it. Today's kids are amazing.… Expand
  4. John12345678910
    Oct 9, 2018
    0
    When we discuss class & related topics such as affirmative action we are really talking about intelligence. So let's discuss the elephant in the room, IQ. Consider Asians... Asians must score 450 points higher than African Americans & Hispanics//Latinos on most college entrance exams-especially ivy league. Asian work ethic is extremely high. In fact, Asians rank the highest on the world IQWhen we discuss class & related topics such as affirmative action we are really talking about intelligence. So let's discuss the elephant in the room, IQ. Consider Asians... Asians must score 450 points higher than African Americans & Hispanics//Latinos on most college entrance exams-especially ivy league. Asian work ethic is extremely high. In fact, Asians rank the highest on the world IQ map, yet we give their seats away to students with a faction of their IQ & work ethic. Then we give these students a pass into college & graduate. Bottom line, intelligence & work ethic are the great dividers, not race & certainly not opportunity. Study harder! Study longer.… Expand
  5. mdarcy25
    Jan 20, 2019
    10
    Tests are biased. Tests are created by White males in charge who want everyone to think that they determine what smart and dumb is. Then you have a whole bunch of conformist ignorant toadies who listen and follow. Don't waste your time studying for these stupid tests. ELIMINATE standardized tests. They are dumb and only for dumb greedy dumb people.
  6. minimus
    Jun 17, 2019
    10
    Best documentary series I have seen in a long time. Each student’s story is compelling and touching, as is the story of the high school community itself. Although the “age of television” may be passing its prime, this series ranks up there with the best TV of the last decade.

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best TV Season of 2018
49
#49 Most Shared TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Sophie Gilbert
    Sep 4, 2018
    90
    Profound and thoughtful. ... The series takes the viewer on an insightful, engaging, and maddening trip back to school, which is enabled by the extraordinary access James and his segment directors were given to classrooms, board meetings, and people’s homes.
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  2. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Aug 27, 2018
    100
    What may be one of the most important shows to debut this year, do not miss a moment of this 10-part documentary series. ... A compelling, potent education.
    Read full review
  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: Sam Adams
    Aug 24, 2018
    90
    Even in a series this expansive, you keep wishing you could spend more time with more people, but its scope allows James and his team to show both victories and defeats fade into the past, how fragile and yet how resilient its protagonists can be.
    Read full review
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