Share

Watch It

On DVD: Now | On Blu-ray: TBD
Watch it on iTunes Buy on Amazon

This Is Not a Film Review

Movies.com Critics

4.5

Dave White Profile

FREE JAFAR PANAHI Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 5.0
    90

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Universal acclaim
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 100

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    This is a great film, and a triumph of creativity and courage over repression.

    Read Full Review

  • 100

    out of 100

    Village Voice

    It's a political statement, an act of defiance, a master class in one auteur's body of work and process, and a document of a life unseen. But above all, it's a gripping entertainment.

    Read Full Review

  • 100

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    How did Mr. Panahi do this? I'm at a bit of a loss to explain, to tell you the truth, since my job is to review movies, and this, obviously, is something different: a masterpiece in a form that does not yet exist.

    Read Full Review

  • 100

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    Against all odds, an unquenchable artist has made yet another piece of powerful art.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    Fascinating for what it signifies as much as what it shows, This Is Not a Film illustrates how Panahi is struggling to stay alive creatively and, paradoxically, can't help but demonstrate how much of a natural filmmaker he is.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The New Yorker David Denby

    The movie is also about a man without fear. It is often funny and stirring, but as you are watching you know what the game will lead to; dictatorships are not known for their sense of humor. [5 March 2012, p. 86]

  • 88

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Little by little, detail by detail, This Is Not a Film leads to a final scene of overwhelming power. I don't think it was even planned - no more than Panahi expected the little actress to take the cast off her arm. It simply happens, and then the film is over, having nothing more to say. Because, after all, it is not a film.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    Variety

    Standing at his balcony, filming the revelry with his iPhone, he seems to be saying that directing is more defiant an act than lighting a firecracker or two. Truth be told, Panahi's poignant "Film" is infinitely more explosive.

    Read Full Review

  • See all This Is Not a Film reviews at Metacritic.com

View MoreView Less
Advertisement