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 "A powerful and heart-rending documentary."
-- Jeffrey M. Anderson, SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
"A gripping documentary that reveals how deep the antagonism lies in war-torn Jerusalem."
-- Marta Barber, MIAMI HERALD
"A soul-stirring documentary about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict as revealed through the eyes of some children who remain curious about each other against all odds."
-- Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH
"Even these tales of just seven children seem at times too many, although in reality they are not enough. Every child's story is what matters. This film can only point the way -- but thank goodness for this signpost."
-- Bridget Byrne, BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE
"This illuminating documentary transcends our preconceived vision of the Holy Land and its inhabitants, revealing the human complexities beneath."
-- El Topo, IOFILM.CO.UK
"A stunning and informative nonfiction drama that looks at the Arab-Israel conflict from the mouths of babes."
-- Harvey S. Karten, COMPUSERVE
"A marvellous journey from childhood idealism to adolescent self-absorption."
-- Jon Lap, APOLLO GUIDE
"Too sincere to exploit its subjects and too honest to manipulate its audience."
-- Paul Malcolm, L.A. WEEKLY
"...devastatingly direct to the heart of the matter, demonstrating that there is no easy walk toward peace in a region with such strong conflicting traditions"
-- John A. Nesbit, CULTUREDOSE.NET
"What emerges is an unsettling picture of childhood innocence combined with indoctrinated prejudice. Promises is a compelling piece that demonstrates just how well children can be trained to live out and carry on their parents' anguish."
-- Niki Patton, MARTHA'S VINEYARD TIMES (MASSACHUSETTS)
"A profoundly moving document...The filmmakers' refusal to downplay the situation's intractability makes the glimmer of hope the film offers that much more powerful."
-- Josh Ralske, ALL MOVIE GUIDE
"It's worth seeing just on the basis of the wisdom, and at times, the startling optimism, of the children."
-- Jocelyn Szczepaniak-Gillece, POPMATTERS
"Goldberg -- a secular Jew who grew up in Jerusalem -- appears genuinely interested in what the youngsters have to say, and out of their conversations comes an even-handed portrait of a troubled land."
-- Catharine Tunnacliffe, EYE WEEKLY
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"The children are all so beautiful and smart and it's heartbreaking when they talk about death as casually as they talk about soccer."
-- Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, THEMOVIECHICKS.COM
"Significant for the chilling moments when the children echo the very sentiments that continue to fuel the Middle East conflict."
-- Maria Garcia, FILM JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
 "Give Shapiro, Goldman, and Bolado credit for good intentions, but there's nothing here that they couldn't have done in half an hour."
-- Jim Lane, SACRAMENTO NEWS & REVIEW
"It's sobering, particularly if anyone still thinks this conflict can be resolved easily, or soon."
-- Erik Lundegaard, SEATTLE TIMES
"This insightful, Oscar-nominated documentary, in which children on both sides of the ever-escalating conflict have their say away from watchful parental eyes, gives peace yet another chance."
-- Stephen Miller, TV GUIDE'S MOVIE GUIDE
"This is a raw and disturbing tale that took five years to make, and the trio's absorbing narrative is a heart-wrenching showcase indeed."
-- Frank Ochieng, FILMCRITIC.COM
"A decent and decidedly neutral documentary."
-- Jon Popick, PLANET SICK-BOY
"If nothing else, this balanced and moving film is both informative and entertaining."
-- Dennis Schwartz, OZUS' WORLD MOVIE REVIEWS
"If there's one big point to Promises, it's that nothing can change while physical and psychological barriers keep the sides from speaking even one word to each other."
-- Joshua Tanzer, OFFOFFOFF
"Promises is one film that's truly deserving of its Oscar nomination."
-- Jeff Vice, DESERET NEWS, SALT LAKE CITY
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FRESH 93%
Avg. Rating: 8.6/10 |
"If you like peace, you'll like Promises."
-- John Anderson, NEWSDAY
"An earnest, roughshod document, it serves as a workable primer for the region's recent history, and would make a terrific 10th-grade learning tool."
-- Michael Atkinson, VILLAGE VOICE
"Unexpected, and often contradictory, truths emerge."
-- Ann Hornaday, WASHINGTON POST
"Beautifully crafted and brutally honest, Promises offers an unexpected window into the complexities of prejudice."
-- Loren King, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
"Beautifully crafted and brutally honest, Promises offers an unexpected window into the complexities of the Middle East struggle and into the humanity of its people."
-- Loren King, BOSTON GLOBE
"Every individual will see the movie through the prism of his or her own beliefs and prejudices, but the one thing most will take away is the sense that peace is possible. That, in itself, is extraordinary."
-- Mick LaSalle, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
"Many insightful moments."
-- Terry Lawson, DETROIT FREE PRESS
"A diverse and astonishingly articulate cast of Palestinian and Israeli children."
-- Michael O'Sullivan, WASHINGTON POST
"Demonstrates the unusual power of thoughtful, subjective filmmaking."
-- Julie Salamon, NEW YORK TIMES
"I wonder what the reaction of Israelis will be to this supposedly evenhanded presentation."
-- Andrew Sarris, NEW YORK OBSERVER
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"It deserves to be seen by anyone with even a passing interest in the events shaping the world beyond their own horizons."
-- Steve Tilley, JAM! MOVIES
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* Who are the Approved Tomatometer Critics?
* Mouse over a tomato icon for a publication's original rating. Original rating not available for every publication.
* In fairness to critics whose last name begins with a letter at the end of the alphabet, certain pages are sorted in reverse order, z-a.
* Certain "Promises" article data provided by the Movie Review Query Engine.
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