American Violet

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

An artlessly powerful performance by newcomer Nicole Behaire anchors American Violet.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

American Violet, it's true, is not blazingly original cinema. Tim Disney's direction and the screenplay by Bill Haney are meat and potatoes, making this story clear, direct and righteous.

Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea

A torn-from-the-headlines tale of institutional racism and injustice in the Lone Star State of not-so-long-ago, American Violet might not be subtle, but it's certainly powerful.

San Francisco Chronicle Jonathan Curiel

An ideal movie for an ideal time in America.

Washington Post Michael O'Sullivan

What sticks in my craw -- just a bit -- is the way the film doesn't fully trust the true story's inherent power.

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

Packed with dialogue and issues, and it’s most provocative when dealing with the dangers of plea bargaining.

Variety Todd McCarthy

Dee is an engaging, admirable lead character, and the striking, petite Beharie, in only her second screen role, is a real winner, bringing energy and fortitude to a woman who easily could have joined the ranks of society's victims and losers.

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Worth a look.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

A message movie that's genuinely worth watching.

Los Angeles Times Betsy Sharkey

The narrative is infused with chilling facts, and the filmmakers know how to build their case, but a drama demands more. We should have been immersed in Dee's wrenching journey, not just sitting it out on the sidelines.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Scott Tobias

It’s hard not to get swept up by the film's progressive zeal, but Disney doesn’t allow for much grey area.

The New York Times Stephen Holden

The movie's staunchly liberal point of view extends to the 2000 presidential election, which is shown unfolding in the background. Al Gore's concession speech is used to suggest that the systemic racism in Melody is a symptom of a broader climate of injustice.

Boston Globe Wesley Morris

American Violet feels less like life and unreasonably more like the movies.

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

Earnest, mostly predictable and candidly didactic. That said, I'm glad it got made -- what's wrong with films that teach? -- and especially glad that a remarkably gifted newcomer named Nicole Beharie got to play the central role.

Village Voice Melissa Anderson

A docudrama with a good heart but a heavy hand.

New York Magazine David Edelstein

If you're in the mood for a liberal message movie in which the only surprise is no surprise, American Violet is the ticket.

The Hollywood Reporter Sura Wood

Wears its righteous indignation and good intentions on its sleeve but its simplistic, heavy handed treatment of a complex issue gives it the weight of a contrived movie of the week melodrama.

New York Post Kyle Smith

Plodding drama.