57
Metascore
13 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90Village VoiceVillage VoiceAs Cash might say, it has the heart, and it has the blood, and by the time childhood chatter is played back again, feeling is soaked through it like the sweat in Cash's guitar strap.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThe Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThe film offers a privileged perspective on crucial moments in Johnny Cash's career, and serious fans will likely warm to it on the small screen.
- 70Los Angeles TimesRobert AbeleLos Angeles TimesRobert AbeleIn the end, despite the clunky mix of narrative formats, My Father and the Man in Black makes for an illuminating alternate history of sorts to the Hollywoodized version of Cash's ascendancy in "Walk the Line."
- 60The GuardianAndrew PulverThe GuardianAndrew PulverFor Cash devotees who want a hitherto-hidden perspective on their man, though, this is invaluable viewing.
- 60EmpireDavid ParkinsonEmpireDavid ParkinsonSlightly jerry-built reconstructions detract from an intriguing film with a unique angle on the country legend.
- 60VarietyRonnie ScheibVarietyRonnie ScheibHoliff Sr.’s extensive audio diaries and taped phone conversations with Cash give authentic voice to the film’s otherwise stodgy re-creations of this true odd couple’s stormy relationship.
- 60The New York TimesDavid DeWittThe New York TimesDavid DeWittNo one in this complex and haunting documentary feels fully explained.
- 50The DissolveKeith PhippsThe DissolveKeith PhippsThere’s a wealth of information in My Father And The Man In Black, but Holiff’s directorial choices don’t always help in conveying them.
- 40The TelegraphRobbie CollinThe TelegraphRobbie CollinHoliff assembled this memoir from his father’s papers and audio diary, although the portrait of Cash that emerges is that of a pill-popping religious nut, and there is next to no insight into his music or creative process.
- 40Time Out LondonTom HuddlestonTime Out LondonTom HuddlestonThe film overdoes it with the awkward, unconvincing re-enactments, many starring the director himself. The result will amuse hardcore Cash fans, but few others.