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OT: Our Town

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 5 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Documentary
Written by:
Directed by: Scott Hamilton Kennedy
Release Date:
Theatrical: August 15, 2003
Running Time: 76 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: Not Rated
Starring Catherine Borek, Karen Greene, Ebony Starr Norwood-Brown, Armia Robinson, and Archie Posada
At Dominquez High School in Compton, California, basketball is valued above all else. The school has not staged a play in over twenty years. With no budget and no stage, English teacher Catherine Borek attempts to mount a theatrical production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," in an effort to make a change. In the process she takes her fledgling students on a journey of self-discovery. (Film Movement)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site
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...
Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
A whole world can be fit into 76 minutes, and that's what the splendid documentary OT: our town manages to do.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Dana Stevens
At the end, when they have created a vibrant new theater program for their school, their sense of triumph is infectious. " 'Our Town' Is Ghetto!" one of them exults. Thornton Wilder, wherever he is, would understand and take it as a compliment.
Read Full Review >LA Weekly Ernest Hardy
A smart, seamless commentary on race, class and the expectations (or lack of) that are often attached to them. Kennedy is helped greatly by deep currents of heart and humor that pull you into the unfolding tale, and to the edge of your seat as the countdown to opening night begins.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Laura Sinagra
Kennedy takes pains to illuminate aspects and insights that buck cliché.
Read Full Review >Variety Ronnie Scheib
The evolving drama of the amateur, crisis-strewn production creates its own tensions, internal structure and time frame. Pic constantly surprises.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov
Backed by a soundtrack of hip-hop and edited to within an inch of its life, Kennedys film has sleek gutter charm to spare.
Read Full Review >Portland Oregonian Kim Morgan
Watching the teachers whip these kids into Wilder recitations is especially intriguing, particularly when their personalities come out during the sometimes-arduous process.
Read Full Review >Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt
Kennedy documents their efforts with skill and compassion, almost entirely avoiding the pitfalls of sentimentality and victimology. He and his likable "cast" deserve a standing ovation.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Ashlea Deahl
Director Scott Hamilton Kennedy finally gives us a reason to feel warm and fuzzy about Compton, Calif. It's not an easy feat.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Ken Fox
"We're not that different, but we're different from what you think we are," says 16-year-old Ebony, and no playwright could have said it better.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club) Noel Murray
It's the most obvious point that actually rings truest: that Wilder's sketchy vision of life, love, and death is as funny and moving as it ever was.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman
Surely no other has done it quite like this group.
Read Full Review >Premiere Sharon Allen Burke
At opening night, with every seat in the cafeteria filled, you realize that the students have not only carved out a fledgling drama department in this sports-mad place, theyve updated Grovers Corners to Compton.
Read Full Review >New York Post Megan Lehmann
Seems to exist solely to drive this observation home in the most heavy-handed way.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 9.6 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Pat M. gave it a 10:
It was a good movie and shows the similarities and differences between all the schools.
Russell L-H. gave it a 10:
Moving and thoughtful. It reminds us why the arts change lives. It also illustrates how damaging budgets cuts targetting the arts will potentially destroy hope for a better future.
Julie K. gave it a 10:
Deeply moving and inspirational. reminds us all of what is truly important in life.
Annalisa Chamberlain E. gave it a 10:
Wonderful, uplifting film.
