We the Parents
  • Studio:
  • Release Date:
We the Parents Image
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critics What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Be the first to review!

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: We the Parents follows the people and events surrounding the first ever school transformation under California's 'Parent Trigger' law. Parents, with the help of the non-profit group Parent Revolution, gathered signatures from over 51% of the families at McKinley Elementary School in Compton, CA. When their petitions are turned in to the district, demanding that a charter school take over McKinley, the controversy begins. Everyday people, who simply want a better life for their children, suddenly find themselves doing extraordinary things: appearing on television, speaking at press conferences, lobbying in the state capital, and becoming community leaders. On their journey they inspire a national movement and discover that education is a political beast.
    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Daphne Howland
    Aug 20, 2013
    90
    We the Parents is a must-see civics lesson, an example of the power of grassroots organizing and of having a good lawyer, and of how seemingly small ideas can make big waves.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Dennis Harvey
    Aug 15, 2013
    70
    While no doubt a more evenhanded documentary remains to be made on this issue, the Takatas’ effort is polished and convincing on its own terms.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Anita Gates
    Sep 5, 2013
    70
    Mr. Takata deserves praise for refusing to oversimplify the situation, although his film doesn’t always bring the conflict fully to life.
  4. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Sheila O'Malley
    Aug 16, 2013
    63
    We the Parents, one-sided and promotional as it often feels, presents a possible solution, as well as the difficulties in achieving it.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Sheri Linden
    Aug 15, 2013
    60
    Concerned mainly with the mechanics of the undertaking, the movie is less an incisive chronicle than a galvanizing tool for parents who are, understandably, frustrated with the system.
  6. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Frank Scheck
    Aug 15, 2013
    60
    The film doesn’t fully succeed in elucidating its complex issues. But the wide-spread problem it explores is clearly undeniable, and at the very least this rough-hewn but provocative documentary will hopefully inspire further discussion.

User Reviews

Write a Review

Showtimes

To get showtimes near you, enter your zip code.
Find showtimes on the go with our iPhone app.

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
96 Gravity
83 Captain Phillips
81 The World's End
75 Rush
74 Prisoners
72 The Grandmaster
66 Lee Daniels' The Butler
66 Don Jon
66 You're Next
61 Metallica: Through the Never
55 Instructions Not Included
49 Riddick
44 The Family
44 Jobs
41 Machete Kills
41 Kick-Ass 2
40 Insidious: Chapter 2
36 Runner Runner
33 The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
22 Getaway
All Current Movies »