I Am Not Your Negro Reviews

Summary Director Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished - a radical narration about race in America, using the writer’s original words. He draws upon James Baldwin’s notes on the lives and assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr to explore and bring a fresh and radical perspective to the current r...

• Documentary

• History

It’s an enormously resonant work of cultural history that should do much to renew attention to the lonely, prophetic voice of James Baldwin.

I’m Not Your Negro is an unforgettable work. Baldwin’s words – eloquently spoken by Samuel Jackson – will haunt you.

Yes you are. We've talked about this. You're the best Mandingo I own. Do I have to tell Bubba to bring out the hounds again?

One of the best movies I have seen. There is not a single thing that this film sets out to accomplish that it does not execute to perfection. I am so grateful that the makers of this film have provided such a powerful medium for James Baldwin's voice to speak through the ages.

What makes I Am Not Your Negro a mesmerizing cinematic experience, smart, thoughtful and disturbing, goes well beyond words.

While the subject matter is difficult, the documentary itself is easy to watch and exciting to grapple with. Its biggest strengths are Jackson’s voice and Baldwin’s commentary, which combine to create a distinctively world-weary tone.

Raoul Peck’s driving, free-form documentary I Am Not Your Negro is not a direct response to Donald Trump’s delighted recognition of the lone nonwhite face he saw at one of his rallies: “Look at my African-American over here!” But the movie feels, if anything, even timelier, which is to say, timeless.

The film makes no concessions about its dissatisfaction with the whole rotten lot of so-called western democracy.

What keeps I Am Not Your Negro just short of greatness is, alas, the competition from Baldwin himself. Watching it, it’s hard not keep wanting to see more of Baldwin and hear less of Jackson.

To watch this documentary only once would be to do it a disservice. It needs to be watched again, with intense focus, an open mind, and an open heart if you are to see what James Baldwin demands, rightfully, be seen, understood and acted on.

A brilliant and heart-wrenching portrayal of the reality of racism in America. Some technical annoyances with narrative over clips with audio that are detract from the otherwise flawless execution.

This is a great introspective delight narrated by Samuel Jackson. For you people who avoid blacks simply because you don't want to or do not how how to deal with them, this will give you tremendous insight into what it feels like to be black in america. Don't hate..Learn!! As one old classic line goes? Some people cannot/will not..handle the truth!! Please, Don't be one of them. Because..I Am Not The Negro YOU..Want Me To Be!!!!

A fine collection of powerful images, prose and messages that, regrettably, never coalesces into a cogent, well-organized whole. Despite its insightful parallels between Baldwin's observations and contemporary events, the film's narrative is all over the map, desperately searching for direction to get its points across. There's probably a good movie in there somewhere; it just doesn't show in the finished product.

This is not as impactful as people think. This has been done to death and the documentary brings nothing new to the table. I'm really surprised this is where it is on this list. It's as if critics feel they have to elevate anything that talks about race, sexuality (especially non-heterosexual sexuality), or gender. I mean, tell those stories, but at least bring something new to the table. This does not.

Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US

Golden Trailer Awards

• 3 Wins & 4 Nominations