70
Metascore
15 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 91Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerChristian Science MonitorPeter RainerThe film’s most joyous performer is the bagpiper Cristina Pato, known as “the Jimi Hendrix of Galicia,” who is such a powerhouse that she could probably upstage the Rolling Stones (in their prime).
- 80The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThe Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeA first-rate music film capturing a restless desire to communicate beyond the boundaries of any single idiom.
- 80Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternWall Street JournalJoe MorgensternMorgan Neville’s documentary is a joyous revelation, a group portrait of superb musicians from all over the world offering music as an emblem of what people can do in these fractious times when they live in concert with one another.
- 80Los Angeles TimesKenneth TuranLos Angeles TimesKenneth TuranAs directed by Morgan Neville, "Strangers" turns out to be as concerned with emotion as with performance, spending much of its time investigating how so much joyous music was able to come out of exploration, disturbance, even pain.
- 70Screen DailyDavid D'ArcyScreen DailyDavid D'ArcyThe closer the documentary gets to individual musicians and their histories, the more engaging it becomes.
- 70The New York TimesKen JaworowskiThe New York TimesKen JaworowskiTo be sure, this loosely structured story needs a stronger outline; you’ll often wish for clarifying details on the group’s programming and its unfamiliar instruments. But then the music will play, and you’ll think this film wants for nothing.
- 63Slant MagazineKenji FujishimaSlant MagazineKenji FujishimaIt resonates as a portrait of artists trying to figure out their own paths toward making valuable contributions to the world.
- 63RogerEbert.comSusan WloszczynaRogerEbert.comSusan WloszczynaWhatever the flaws, The Music of Strangers does provide enough enticements to make it worth a sit, if only to see Mr. Rogers greet Ma in an old TV clip.
- 60VarietyOwen GleibermanVarietyOwen GleibermanThe movie, despite enthralling moments, is so self-intoxicated by its blissed-out vision of global healing that it’s a little soft.
- 50Village VoiceSimon AbramsVillage VoiceSimon AbramsNeville briefly showcases individual musicians but never sticks with them long enough to highlight their skills.