70
Metascore
10 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80VarietyEddie CockrellVarietyEddie CockrellHelmer-poet Amie Siegel delivers a provocative, confident film.
- 80The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayThe A.V. ClubNoel MurraySomehow, all of these scattered pieces of film and video fit together, as do the ideas they represent.
- 80Village VoiceJ. HobermanVillage VoiceJ. HobermanMeta-documentary to the end, Empathy takes its leave by pretending to spy on one patient with his ear to the closed door, eavesdropping on another patient. How did watching the movie make me feel? Interested, amused, and um, empathetic.
- 75New York PostV.A. MusettoNew York PostV.A. MusettoA mix of documentary and fiction, it demystifies the profession in delightful fashion.
- 75Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittSiegel calls it a talking-heads film about the talking cure, and that pretty well sums it up. The nonfiction scenes are most interesting, and could have easily sustained the whole picture.
- 70The New York TimesDana StevensThe New York TimesDana StevensThe director's seriousness and intelligence are evident, but so is her satisfaction in displaying them, and the movie has a self-indulgent, undisciplined tone that nearly obscures its provocative ideas.
- 63New York Daily NewsJack MathewsNew York Daily NewsJack MathewsI don't mean to demean it; it's smart, inventive and well-crafted. But as a feature film, it's a novelty item at best.
- 63Boston GlobeJanice PageBoston GlobeJanice PageAt the very least, some of the answers and observations offered up in this hybrid documentary/drama/thesis project will surprise you.
- 50Miami HeraldMarta BarberMiami HeraldMarta BarberDespite its entertaining and insightful dialogue, can also be a bore.