81
Metascore
8 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Washington PostMichael O'SullivanWashington PostMichael O'SullivanIt’s rare that a documentary has the ability to take the kind of long view of events that establishes context and consequence.
- 91The PlaylistWarren CantrellThe PlaylistWarren CantrellAnd while it’s a difficult sit sometimes, “17 Blocks” is essential viewing for anyone interested in how the confluence of race and class have codified into a sort of informal caste for an entire subsection of America’s citizenry.
- 88RogerEbert.comMatt Zoller SeitzRogerEbert.comMatt Zoller SeitzAn engrossing and frequently extraordinary feature.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckConsidering that it was filmed in bits and pieces over two decades, it's not surprising that 17 Blocks is disjointed in its storytelling, nor that its technical elements are ragged (subtitles are frequently employed due to poor sound quality). But it nonetheless packs a potent emotional punch.
- 78Austin ChronicleSelome HailuAustin ChronicleSelome HailuEven when the direction is heavy-handed, the Sanfords are just too compelling to ignore.
- 70Screen DailyStephen WhittyScreen DailyStephen Whitty17 Blocks ... is packed with gritty realism, and at times its uncensored honesty almost makes you want to look away.
- 70Los Angeles TimesRobert AbeleLos Angeles TimesRobert AbeleIt’s valuable when any vérité documentary with such a vantage point is able to show us how many societal ills — from addiction to gun violence to poverty to gentrification to incarceration — can touch one family, keeping them in a near-constantly reeling state.
- 55Film ThreatFilm ThreatThe film is as intimate as it can be, but at times, feels like an invasion of privacy.