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Without the King
Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Jeannette Catsoulis
    70
    The film, fluidly shot by James Adolphus, remains deeply sensitive to the complexities of a culture whose attachment to monarchy contravenes its best interests. This dilemma is gradually becoming clear to Princess Sikhanyiso, the oldest of the king's 22 children and a student in California. Intelligent, articulate, caring and strong-willed, she could be her country's best hope.
  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    63
    By far the film's most interesting subject is the king's eldest daughter, 18-year-old Princess Sikhanyiso, who likes to be known as Pashu. She's a self-styled rapper who goes to a Catholic college in California and acts like the spoiled rich kid that she is.
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    63
    Intelligent but incomplete-feeling documentary.
  4. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Vadim Rizov
    60
    A cut above the average Quad-bound video agit-prop doc, Michael Skolnik's Without the King succeeds mostly through negative virtues.
  5. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ernest Hardy
    50
    A curious mixture of banality and revelation.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Ronnie Scheib
    50
    With Swaziland providing this mother lode of material, helmer Michael Skolnik extracts only the most pedestrian of films.
  7. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Phil Hall
    40
    It is a shame the film doesn't cast a wider net into deeper political waters – the outrage is barely scratched in this production.
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