65
Metascore
8 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- Meeting at the intersection of cinema, history and ethnomusicology.
- 75San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco ChroniclePart road trip, part music lesson, follows virtuoso musician Béla Fleck on a trip through Africa to reclaim the banjo's roots. It's an entertaining journey, and director Sascha Paladino injects humor and pathos into the musical sequences.
- 70VarietyJoe LeydonVarietyJoe LeydonSascha Paladino's overlong but engaging doc about banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck's harmonious journey through four African countries.
- 70The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenThe gentle, upbeat documentary Throw Down Your Heart chronicles the African pilgrimage of the American banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck in search of the origins of his chosen instrument.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterThe Hollywood ReporterThe saving grace of Throw Down Your Heart is Fleck himself, who transcends the contrived unconventionality of the project to emanate a genuine warmth and camaraderie. This extraordinary performer remains shy, soft-spoken, simpatico and as unpretentious as he is talented.
- 63Boston GlobeBoston GlobeThrough it all, Fleck seems at a loss for words, stumbling through small talk and staring feebly as a Ugandan musician weeps during a song about his dead father.
- 50New York PostNew York PostFleck fails to provide any personal charisma, although the music is infectious.
- 50Film ThreatPhil HallFilm ThreatPhil HallFor the most part, Fleck doesn't seem particularly intrigued on finding the banjo’s African heritage – the film offers little in the way of historic value in understanding the origin of the instrument.