The Gift to Stalin
The Gift to Stalin Image
Metascore
57 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critics What's this?

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  • Summary: Set against the sweeping beauty of the Kazakh steppes, Gift is the heartwarming tale of a young orphaned Jewish boy who is sent into exile during a Stalinist purge, but saved by a gruff older Muslim. Gorgeously photographed, the film exhibits the kind of charm that critics have compared to Cinema Paradiso and Il Postino. (Seagull Films)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Jeannette Catsoulis
    Mar 18, 2011
    80
    Immersed in the alien beauty of the Kazakh steppe, "The Gift to Stalin" moves slowly but engages thoroughly.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Russell Edwards
    Mar 17, 2011
    60
    Script weaknesses overwhelm ethnographic interest, historical tragedy and some solid performances in period drama "The Gift to Stalin."
  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Eric Hynes
    Mar 17, 2011
    60
    Alternating between impressive and pedestrian shot-making, professional and amateurish acting, the film aims for gravitas and entertainment but only occasionally achieves either.
  4. indieWIRE
    Reviewed by: Christopher Bell
    Mar 18, 2011
    50
    The Gift to Stalin could have benefited from a less complex approach, something that would've actually hit the notes the filmmaker had aimed for. Unfortunately, he needed to try it all. Little of it succeeds, which can be rather draining at times, and not in the way he intended it to be.

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