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Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Meet Michael Ruppert, a different kind of American. A former Los Angeles police officer turned independent reporter, he predicted the current financial crisis in his self-published newsletter, From the Wilderness, at a time when most of Wall Street and Washington analysts were still in denial. Director Chris Smith has shown an affinity for outsiders in films like American Movie and The Yes Men. In Collapse, he departs stylistically form his past documentaries by interviewing Ruppert in a format that recalls that work of Errol Morris and Spalding Gray. (Vitagraph Films)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    I don't know when I've seen a thriller more frightening. I couldn't tear my eyes from the screen. Collapse is even entertaining, in a macabre sense. I think you owe it to yourself to see it.
  2. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: David Fear
    60
    While this totally impartial approach is admirable, it also robs Collapse of any invested sensibility. Smith has given this bull a stage on which to rage, but why the filmmaker has bothered to mount the platform in the first place is, frustratingly, anybody's guess.
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    25
    Boring.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. MattS.
    10
    Great, but he didn't mention the fission breeder, which has an excellent net energy profile, even better than an oil gusher. Either way, it is too late to save civilization anyway.… Expand
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  2. ChrisD
    7
    A film which gives a well informed audience a snap shot of a fanatic narcissist.
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  3. smijatov
    4
    Collapse is, to say the least, a well filmed film, which tells us the point of view and thoughts of a sole man. The director has rather clearly shown the psychological instability of Mr.Ruppert, and that is to the credit of the film maker. However, on the other hand, it is problematic for it defeats the purpose of the film in a way - why would people want to listen to a guy who is obviously full of resentment, anger, and has some 'messiahical' ideas about his role in society (despite the fact that he disputes that in the film). Despite that he claims that he is going to live the rest of his life a "happy and free" man, one can clearly see all the anger built up in him. Be it as it may, his theories are rather interesting and something to ponder on, but they do not provide any sort of viable solutions. Basically, what he is arguing is that EVERYTHING (and I do not kid you) exists because of oil today, and there will be a huge cataclysm once we run out of oil. Yes, that is quite possible, and his argumentation seems rather plausible, except of the fact that he does not provide for any alternatives. Not that that is necessarily his job, but after watching the film one feels confused about why he wonders people see him as an "alarmist." What else could one possibly see him as? That is also problematised in the end with the director's decision to point out that by the premiere of the film, Mr.Ruppert has been largely ignored by the media and his book becoming a flop, and him fighting to keep his home since he's without money. Be it as it may, he raises interesting questions, but as the director asked him in the film why people should believe him, or even as much as listen to him - that question, after watching the entire film, remains sadly unanswered. There, really, is no point in watching the film, and that is the sad truth. Interesting idea, but ultimately failed and deeply flawed documentary.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 8 User Reviews

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