57
Metascore
18 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 83Entertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumEntertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumFirst-time writer-director Rodney Evans makes a ballsy leap into historical fantasia, with heartfelt fervor outrunning stray moments of artistic gawkiness.
- 75New York PostMegan LehmannNew York PostMegan LehmannAn intelligent and entertaining exploration of racial and sexual politics that brings alive the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, and draws parallels with African-American identity crises of today.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttThe Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttFascinating and absorbing tale.
- 63New York Daily NewsNew York Daily NewsEvan succeeds in drawing a parallel about the lack of racial and sexual tolerance in both eras, but Perry's inner turmoil is nowhere near as interesting as the lively flashbacks.
- 60VarietyDavid RooneyVarietyDavid RooneyThe film's transitions between periods are not entirely seamless and its discourse often becomes didactic. However, the depth and intelligence it brings to issues of black politics and sexuality could help carve an appreciative theatrical audience in upscale gay and/or urban niches.
- 50Village VoiceVillage VoiceFirst-timer Rodney Evans's leaden script fails to live up to the poetry of its subjects and raises more themes--black-on-black homophobia, light-skin versus dark-skin prejudice, writers' envy--than it can fully develop.
- 50The New York TimesManohla DargisThe New York TimesManohla DargisFilled with ideas and some nice acting, particularly from Mr. Mackie and Mr. Robinson, both of whom hold the screen easily, Mr. Evans has crammed a great deal of thought and a lot of obvious feeling into his first dramatic feature.
- 50Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittInteresting for its historical content.
- 40The A.V. ClubNathan RabinThe A.V. ClubNathan RabinWell-intentioned to a fault, the film packs a strange, ultimately unsuccessful combination of prurience and clumsy identity politics.