Public Speaking
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 22, 2010
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9

Critic Reviews

  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    Dec 9, 2010
    100
    The Lebowitz film, Public Speaking, directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Graydon Carter--combines hilarious, contemporary interviews with Lebowitz about life in NYC, mixed with old clips of her in the Andy Warhol days, and great clips of her appearances on old talk shows.
  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Dec 9, 2010
    100
    She's a smart, funny, eccentric elitist who isn't afraid to tell us what she thinks of us or herself. Listen with an open mind, and you should find her sometimes scathing honesty is bracing rather than off-putting.
  3. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    Dec 9, 2010
    80
    Scorsese's documentary offers us a long overdue taste of her unique, queasily accurate perspectives on our culture--always right, never fair and never disappointing.
  5. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Ginia Bellafante
    Dec 9, 2010
    80
    Public Speaking perfectly captures the pleasure she takes in observing the world while subtly revealing the crippling dimensions of perfectionism, the outsize ego it requires to achieve a certain kind of creative failure.
  6. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Dec 9, 2010
    75
    This may not be Martin Scorsese's most sophisticated film, but it actually takes a smart filmmaker to understand that, with a subject like Fran Lebowitz, the best thing you can do is let her talk.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best TV Season of 2010
95
#95 Most Discussed TV Season of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. jalyss
    Dec 17, 2010
    6
    When I ran across Public Speaking, the burning question of whatever happened to Fran Lebowitz was answered. She turned into a talking head.When I ran across Public Speaking, the burning question of whatever happened to Fran Lebowitz was answered. She turned into a talking head. Granted, she's a witty head, an infuriating head, an exasperating head, but nevertheless a talking head. I found her amusing, insightful, and someone yearning so much for the past it was painful. The movie is worth watching simply because it's thought provoking. As to Ms. Lebowitz's writer's block - why doesn't she just wear a tape recorder around her neck - oh, wait, she is so rabidly anti-tech that might kill her.… Full Review »
  2. mmasonhauser
    Dec 10, 2010
    9
    Great, great movie. I was in a Documentary mood, so i was looking through my HBO and saw this, and i didn't know who Miss Lebowitz was, so iGreat, great movie. I was in a Documentary mood, so i was looking through my HBO and saw this, and i didn't know who Miss Lebowitz was, so i said why not. I found myself glued to the screen through the whole movie. such a intelligent, clever. lady. very charming movie.… Full Review »
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