64
Metascore
10 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlVillage VoiceAlan ScherstuhlDemme has crafted yet another superb document of musicians at work, one as much about creation—and the sources of inspiration—as it is about performance. A wonderful film, as in, it's full of wonders.
- 75RogerEbert.comSheila O'MalleyRogerEbert.comSheila O'MalleyThe film feels like a first draft. But then there is the music to celebrate.
- 70Los Angeles TimesBetsy SharkeyLos Angeles TimesBetsy SharkeyIn Enzo Avitabile Music Life, Demme has not given us an expansive film, and there are spots you wish he'd dug deeper. But there is such a well of emotion that the music alone is almost enough.
- 67The A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloThe A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloIt’s easy to see why Demme admires the man, but amiability doesn’t make for a great documentary subject. If anything, it tends to be something of a drawback, offering only warm fuzzies.
- 63Slant MagazineSteve MacfarlaneSlant MagazineSteve MacfarlaneEven if the film never transcends its subject matter, Jonathan Demme's light touch adds up to a charming portrait, only rarely fumbling into hagiography.
- 60Time OutKeith UhlichTime OutKeith UhlichThe scenes of the film’s exuberant, frizzy-haired protagonist wandering Naples and revisiting old haunts, however, seem much more unfocused—a ramshackle search for insights into the man’s art and life that rarely come. The instruments are in tune, but the rhythm is off.
- 60The DissolveKeith PhippsThe DissolveKeith PhippsIt’s possible that something’s getting lost in translation, but Demme’s film only occasionally makes it seem like it’s worth the effort for the rest of the world to catch up.
- 60The New York TimesNicolas RapoldThe New York TimesNicolas RapoldThe fuzziness of Mr. Avitabile’s sentiments on boundary-blind unity is echoed in the movie’s slack, tag-along portraiture.
- 50Washington PostStephanie MerryWashington PostStephanie MerryEnzo Avitabile Music Life succeeds at conveying one-quarter of its title. It is full of beautiful sounds that should delight fans of Avitabile and world music in general. The life portion is a bit trickier, but you get the sense that Avitabile wanted it that way.