74
Metascore
10 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90Village VoiceDaphne HowlandVillage VoiceDaphne HowlandMedalia, as an Israeli, knows this bumpy territory well and serves up her story sensitively, but with its difficulties unvarnished and unsolved. She focuses on a few children whom we get to know well enough to care very much about their progress.
- 90Los Angeles TimesSheri LindenLos Angeles TimesSheri LindenA documentary that doesn't force-feed its message of hope but genuinely earns it.
- 80VarietyRonnie ScheibVarietyRonnie ScheibA surprising, well-crafted documentary.
- 80CineVueJulia AlexanderCineVueJulia AlexanderDancing in Jaffa is a wonderfully insightful documentary that explores a side of geopolitical tensions in a completely new light. Like Dulaine's teachings, the feeling of hope, the promise of light at the end of the tunnel, never diminishes.
- 75Boston GlobePeter KeoughBoston GlobePeter Keough“So how are you going to get them to dance together?” Dancing never explains how. Instead, as in similar films such as “Hoop Dreams,” it focuses on the contest, reducing the participants to a handful of representative kids who end up learning something about themselves and others.
- 75Washington PostStephanie MerryWashington PostStephanie MerryWhile the movie can feel disjointed at times, bouncing around to cover so much territory, the climax of the kids’s ballroom competition makes up for any quibbles. If nothing else, it’s heartening to see the kids so transformed.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckWhile the film doesn’t dig deeply enough into the myriad political and social issues it raises, it’s nonetheless warmly entertaining, thanks to Dulaine’s ever genial presence and the irresistible appeal of watching young children overcome their instilled fears and prejudices.
- 70The New York TimesAndy WebsterThe New York TimesAndy WebsterPredictably, the film culminates in a dance competition, irresistible to behold and leading to an ending just about too pat to believe.
- 60New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierNew York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierWhen the grade-school kids are Israelis and Palestinians, the initially reluctant, moving duets they finally perform make you feel like, yes, dancing.
- 60EmpireDavid ParkinsonEmpireDavid ParkinsonExasperatingly trite, but also rather sweet.