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New York Doll
First Independent Pictures

New York Doll reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 72 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.6 out of 10
based on 17 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 13 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

MPAA RATING: PG-13 for drug content

Starring David Johansen, Arthur Kane, and Sylvain Sylvain

New York Doll is a film that captures one of those rare occasions where life is not only stranger, but better than fiction. This documentary chronicles the extraordinary journey of Arthur "Killer" Kane to reunite with his bandmates. (First Independent Pictures)


GENRE(S): Documentary  |  Musical  
DIRECTED BY: Greg Whiteley  
RELEASE DATE: DVD: April 4, 2006 
Theatrical: October 28, 2005 
RUNNING TIME: 77 minutes, Color 
ORIGIN: USA 

Nominated, Grand Jury Prize (Documentary), 2005 Sundance Film Festival

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

88
TV Guide Ken Fox
This might be the only documentary that will appeal to punks and Mormons alike.
Read Full Review
88
Boston Globe Ty Burr
You're left with the bewilderment and joy on Kane's face as he plays the old songs, and the sense of ghosts just behind his back.
Read Full Review
83
Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy
So rich, moving and surprising that a familiar story starts to feel new again. The details, the personalities and the final twist grab you until you're left truly shaken and inspired.
Read Full Review
80
LA Weekly F. X. Feeney
Overall, Whitely's debut film may just fill you with an unexpectedly deep elation.
Read Full Review
80
Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
Though it is small in scale and lasts only 78 minutes, New York Doll, like any documentary, goes places we expect it to and places we do not. As journeys go, this is one to treasure.
Read Full Review
75
New York Post Lou Lumenick
Kane was nicknamed "Killer" because of his playing style -- and New York Doll has a killer surprise ending that may leave even hard-core punkers reaching for the Kleenex.
Read Full Review
75
Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
This makes for a modestly touching journey, but New York Doll, in its wafer-thin way, is an oxymoron: a hagiographic tribute to a rocker with more passion than talent.
Read Full Review
70
Salon.com Andrew O'Hehir
As sad stories go, this is a happy one.
Read Full Review
70
Dallas Observer Robert Wilonsky
No matter how well you think you know this tale, you do not know it at all. It offers the oldest clichés polished up like some brand-new thing by director Greg Whiteley.
Read Full Review
70
The New York Times Stephen Holden
Greg Whiteley's small, tender documentary portrait New York Doll looks at life after rock 'n' roll as experienced by Arthur (Killer) Kane, the original bassist for the legendary glam-punk band the New York Dolls.
Read Full Review
70
The Hollywood Reporter Sheri Linden
A tender take on life after stardom.
Read Full Review
70
Variety Dennis Harvey
A charmer whose lack of profane language or images renders it unexpectedly viable for general broadcast.
Read Full Review
70
The Onion (A.V. Club) Nathan Rabin
Unexpectedly heartwarming documentary.
Read Full Review
70
Village Voice Robert Christgau
In the end, this is less a film about a rock and roller than a film about a Mormon. And Napoleon Dynamite it ain't.
Read Full Review
63
New York Daily News Jami Bernard
The film paints an affectionate portrait of a wry, somewhat addled man whose hard-partying past was in stark contrast with his later life - a fluffy cat nestles in his guitar case while he explains his nickname.
Read Full Review
60
Empire Anna Smith
A fascinating portrait of a broken rock star picking up the pieces, this misses a few tricks but still entertains.
Read Full Review
60
Film Threat Pete Vonder Haar
Overall, New York Doll is an affectionate (occasionally too much so) look at Arthur Kane.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now!The average user rating for this movie is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Christopher J. gave it a7:
An interesting film, especially for the LDS community. I was excited to see how the faded rock star would react to a temporary resurrection of his old, gaudy culture. I wasn't blown away, but I was satisfied.

Nancy W. gave it a10:
Truth is stranger than fiction. Fame at a young age has come to many a musician, only to have drugs and alcohol take down the band. Not many get a 2nd chance for musical redemption. And many who got lost along the way never find their way. I was very touched by this documentary. I was a Dolls fan but never knew what became of them, other than the obvious David Johanssen. Rent this for sure!

Kevin S. gave it a9:
An absolutely wonderful movie. A wildly delightul combination of rock and roll and the Mormon church. The story is marvelously stranger than fiction.

Kurt W. gave it a10:
Timing is everything. A moving true story about decadence, humility, redemption, and reconciliation. You can't script a story like this one because it is absolutely real. Do not miss this film.

L Clark gave it a9:
A great view and contrast between the life of a former rock star and his new life as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (a.k.a. Mormons). Too bad he didn't find it sooner. Humorous, unique, has artistic timeline presentation and is inspirational. I highly recommend it.

Tony D. gave it a10:
It was awesome!!! It made me think about life and gave me a new perspective.

christine h gave it a9:
I have never seen anything quite like this, i almost did not believe it had really happened, but it obviously did.

Read more user comments...

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