Protagonist
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Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics What's this?

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  • Summary: Protagonist weaves together the stories of 4 men: A German terrorist, a bank robber, a gay evangelist and a martial arts student. At first glance the characters appear disconnected. But as their stories unfold in riveting detail, one starts to see the parallels between the uncommon, common experience of these four men. To illustrate the timelessness of her subjects' dilemmas, Yu uses puppets and the work of Greek dramatist Euripides. Whether famous, infamous, or simply anonymous, each lives out the eternal drama of how we control--or don't control--our own destinies. (IFC Films)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    100
    Wu is able to demonstrate both the timelessness and the universality of stories which, on the surface, sound extreme and unique.
  2. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Jeremy Mathews
    80
    The film becomes at once an argument for the accuracy of fictional conventions and for the power of true, personal experiences.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Sheri Linden
    80
    Although it takes a while for Yu's thesis to jell, the film makes a lasting impression as it delves into an unfashionable territory: character as fate rather than a function of pharmaceuticals.
  4. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    30
    Pretentious and overconceived, the movie purports to celebrate self-determination yet squashes it at every turn.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. [Anonymous]
    10
    Beautiful, funny, thoughtful, provocative.

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