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LaLee's Kin: The Legacy of Cotton
LaLee's Kin: The Legacy of Cotton Image
Metascore
78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: LaLee Wallace
  • Summary: This heartbreaking documentary depicts the extreme poverty of an African-American family and their Mississippi Delta school district.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Robert Koehler
    90
    The balance between feeling and distance is never a contradiction here but, rather, the dynamic that makes this film an especially humanistic entry in the Maysles canon.
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jami Bernard
    88
    Its simple, straightforward storytelling makes mincemeat of the idea that, gee, if these people just worked a little harder and got motivated, they, too, could get a piece of the American Dream.
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    60
    Froemke and Dickson's film opens a window onto rural poverty so dire it's almost inconceivable that it exists in 21st-century America.

See all 5 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. BarbaraM.
    10
    when i first seen this movie back in 2001 i cried for Ms. Lalee to see how she and her family have to live.i wish it was some way i could show my kids this movie now that they are 16,13,12 so they could see just how bless they are.I sometimes wonder how she is doing.its sad how we help people everywhere around the world and we have people right here living like that even in 2008. Its so sad.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. Benjyx
    10
    I dont know what everyones problem with this was. Spoiler* the aliens reflected the time and if you thought they were ridiculous what about the melting faces and invisible paths that have graced over jone's films. It was a very good film that didn't take itself seriously and was fun what more can you want from it?… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. DawnB.
    10
    I was really touched by this movie! It showed the strength of a black woman trying to raise her grand children. It made me sad and also angry with her children. Lalee made a choice to live in these conditions because that was all she saw but her children (15) of them should want better and not allow their mother to live in those conditions. From my understanding from the movie, her son was a drug dealer and most of her children worked and/or received government assistance. But, they couldn't help their mother and grand mother with meals, clothing, runnning water, bills and the daily neccessites of taking care of their children. If we would only work together, our live would be better! I pray she is doing well and has running water.. I also, pray that her children, grand children and great-grand children will ask God to break the generational curse on their family. I also, wonder what Granny, Red-Man and Main is doing. I pray they are still striving for the best that life has to offer them and not settling for any thing. I will watch this movie over and over again.. Thanks HBO!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 14 User Reviews