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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

OT: Our Town

EMAILPRINTFilm Movement

OT: Our Town reviews
75
10.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 4 votes
Read user comments
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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)

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...

100

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.

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90

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.

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90

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.

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80

Village Voice Laura Sinagra

Kennedy takes pains to illuminate aspects and insights that buck cliché.

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80

Variety Ronnie Scheib

The evolving drama of the amateur, crisis-strewn production creates its own tensions, internal structure and time frame. Pic constantly surprises.

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78

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

Backed by a soundtrack of hip-hop and edited to within an inch of its life, Kennedy’s film has sleek gutter charm to spare.

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75

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.

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75

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.

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75

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.

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70

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.

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70

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.

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63

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Surely no other has done it quite like this group.

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63

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, they’ve updated Grover’s Corners to Compton.

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38

New York Post Megan Lehmann

Seems to exist solely to drive this observation home in the most heavy-handed way.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 10.0 (out of 10) based on 4 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.

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