Waiting for 'Superman'

Name: Waiting for 'Superman'
Genre: Documentary
Released: September 24, 2010
Duration: 111 min
Rating: 81

2010

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 53 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 53 Ratings

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Waiting For Superman

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Vantage | Release Date: September 24, 2010 | PG

Summary: For a nation that proudly declared it would leave no child behind, America continues to do so at alarming rates. Despite increased spending and politicians’ promises, our buckling public—education system, once the best in the world, routinely forsakes the education of millions of children. Oscar winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim reminds usFor a nation that proudly declared it would leave no child behind, America continues to do so at alarming rates. Despite increased spending and politicians’ promises, our buckling public—education system, once the best in the world, routinely forsakes the education of millions of children. Oscar winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim reminds us that education “statistics” have names: Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing foundation of Waiting for Superman. As he follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth, Guggenheim undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, surveying “drop—out factories” and “academic sinkholes,” methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems. However, embracing the belief that good teachers make good schools, Guggenheim offers hope by exploring innovative approaches taken by education reformers and charter schools that have—in reshaping the culture—refused to leave their students behind. (Paramount Vantage Point)… Expand

Director: Davis Guggenheim

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: PG

Runtime: 111 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Richard Corliss

This is more than an Important Documentary: it is engaging and, finally, enraging - as captivating as any "Superman" movie, and as poignant as a child's plea for help. Read full review

100

Scott Bowles

It's an apt title. As divisive as the issue has become, it's hard to deny the power of Guggenheim's lingering shots on these children, waiting on a superhero who isn't going to come. Read full review

Betsy Sharkey

Much of the film is told compellingly and heartbreakingly through the wide-eyed innocence of five children. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

Why are innovative educators met with so much resistance? And why is our system falling so painfully short? Perhaps because so many of us don't realize just how dire things really are. Read full review

Wesley Morris

This is a patient, simmering movie. It's contemplative but without his usual smitten indulgences. Read full review

Marc Mohan

The merits of its arguments can be debated on the Op-Ed pages, but at least the movie makes it clear that they desperately need to be. Read full review

Melissa Anderson

Guggenheim's insistence on not engaging with the injustices that children of certain races and classes face outside of school makes his reiteration of the obvious-that "past all the noise and the debate, nothing will change without great teachers"-seem all the more willfully naïve. Read full review

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User Reviews

WTilson

Sep 27, 2010

This is a powerful and important movie about our country's future -- and it's enjoyable to watch, with compelling characters and drama. Don't miss it!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MikePushkin

Mar 5, 2011

A must see movie if you care to find out why American educational system today is not as efficient as before. Touching stories of several people and a great deal of data in this movie, don't miss it in the tide of new movies!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mrnice

Apr 13, 2013

As important as this is to the masses, we should be more concerned about that, than whether or not it entertains or pulls the right strings. But it happens to be very well made. End of review.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

OscarPicks2010

Feb 6, 2011

There was another movie about a similar subject called "The Lottery". The movie was solely about the charter schools lotteries, it wasn't committed on the broken school system. Waiting For Superman is completely different. It took on an in depth look at our public school systems and howThere was another movie about a similar subject called "The Lottery". The movie was solely about the charter schools lotteries, it wasn't committed on the broken school system. Waiting For Superman is completely different. It took on an in depth look at our public school systems and how damaged it is over the years. It isn't a subject that everyone cares about, but it is definitely an important documentary that Davis Duggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) wanted people to see.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

smijatov

Dec 14, 2011

Waiting for 'Superman' may thematically be one of the most important documentaries in recent U.S. history. The educational system is in dire need of help, and this film provides clear alternatives and points out who is to blame for the lack of willingness to cooperate and rejuvenate theWaiting for 'Superman' may thematically be one of the most important documentaries in recent U.S. history. The educational system is in dire need of help, and this film provides clear alternatives and points out who is to blame for the lack of willingness to cooperate and rejuvenate the system. Technically, the film is not that great. It is very long, and it lacks cohesion. It is all over the place and while it focuses on a number of families, it is still too large in scope. The D.C. focus is nice, but is not substantiate by any reasoning behind it. Was it because it was a success story? Or was it because it was D.C.? Or some other reason? Nonetheless, it has some good moments, and the ending sequences of the acceptance lottery are heartbreaking to say the least. Thematically excellent, technically not quite there. Good film, overall. 6/10… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Tss5078

Feb 22, 2013

Waiting For "Superman" is an inside look at the problems with education in America. The film is extremely eye-opening, showing just how bad a state most of our education systems are in. They clearly illustrate that no matter the area, teachers are failing America's youth at an alarming rate.Waiting For "Superman" is an inside look at the problems with education in America. The film is extremely eye-opening, showing just how bad a state most of our education systems are in. They clearly illustrate that no matter the area, teachers are failing America's youth at an alarming rate. I found the film to be very biased though, as it only points out what's wrong with the system, and fails to mention any of the positives that still exist in education. It also fails to offer solutions for the problems. Guggenheim throws lots of facts and figures at us and repeats the same themes. It gets to a point where he's just beating us over the head with the same concepts. Many people saw this as an inspirational call to action, but me, I saw it as a guy complaining. Honestly, if you can't offer up a solution than why present the problem? I'm pretty sure that almost everyone in America knows how bad education has gotten, even if they don't have the exact figures in front of them.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

CClark

Feb 20, 2011

A myopic, one-sided rant, long on bluster and woefully short on substance. While the film claims to analyze a serious issue, it's really a simple-minded attack on teacher's unions, with no solutions or insights offered.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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