Story: English, French and Wolof language documentary about four particularly tall West African Muslim teenagers who accept basketball scholarships to schools in the United States. Cast:Amadou Gallo Fall, Assane Sene, Byago DioufDirector:Anne BufordOpened:October 21, 2011On DVD:February 14, 2012From:Variance FilmsRating:PGLength:1 hr. 23 min.
Elevate (2011) played in limited release to good reviews. • Gary Goldstein called the film in the Los Angeles Times, "...inspiring.... the ultimate fish-out-of-water story..." • And Stephanie Merry wrote in the Washington Post, "There are moments when the character portraits seem superficial, which may be the result of trying to pack four personalities into a little more than 80 minutes. Nevertheless, it's an inspiring tale..." More Reviews Below...
Andy Webster, New York Times: VERY GOOD "It's impossible not to be moved... a documentary about Senegalese basketball players given a chance to play and receive an education in the United States."(Read the full review...) 247 words, 10/21/11
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "One of the many beautiful things about this affecting, informative doc is the opportunity it gives to see the American college sports world through different eyes."(Read the full review...) 174 words, 10/21/11
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: VERY GOOD "...inspiring.... the ultimate fish-out-of-water story..."(Read the full review...) 214 words, 11/04/11
Aaron Hillis, Village Voice/LA Weekly: VERY GOOD "...an upbeat but never sugarcoated look at how cultural diversity can provide as many roadblocks as it does opportunities."(Read the full review...) 193 words, 10/19/11
KEY CITIES (1 Review)
Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "There are moments when the character portraits seem superficial, which may be the result of trying to pack four personalities into a little more than 80 minutes. Nevertheless, it's an inspiring tale..."(Read the full review...) 423 words, 11/11/11
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (3 Reviews)
Aaron Hillis, Village Voice/LA Weekly: VERY GOOD "...an upbeat but never sugarcoated look at how cultural diversity can provide as many roadblocks as it does opportunities."(Read the full review...) 193 words, 10/19/11
Nick Schager, Slant: MODERATE(cg) "...a compelling if superficial look at the arduous path traveled by Senegalese teens hoping to make it to America for a higher education and an NBA career.... ultimately too little complexity or depth."(Read the full review...) 379 words, 10/19/11
HIGHBROW PRESS (2 Reviews)
Andy Webster, New York Times: VERY GOOD "It's impossible not to be moved... a documentary about Senegalese basketball players given a chance to play and receive an education in the United States."(Read the full review...) 247 words, 10/21/11
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: VERY GOOD "...inspiring.... the ultimate fish-out-of-water story..."(Read the full review...) 214 words, 11/04/11
MOVIE INDUSTRY (4 Reviews)
John Anderson, Daily Variety: VERY GOOD "The globe-trotting glitz of American pro basketball is a scarce commodity in tyro helmer Anne Buford's 'Elevate,' a movie about big men and cultural collisions that's as melancholy as it is exhilarating."(Read the full review...) 705 words, 07/19/11
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...touches on issues of adjustment (problems understanding teachers' American accents, say), but leaves much -- like any difficulties the boys might have faced here because of their Muslim faith -- unexplored."(Read the full review...) 391 words, 03/13/11
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: VERY GOOD "...inspiring.... the ultimate fish-out-of-water story..."(Read the full review...) 214 words, 11/04/11
Andy Webster, New York Times: VERY GOOD "It's impossible not to be moved... a documentary about Senegalese basketball players given a chance to play and receive an education in the United States."(Read the full review...) 247 words, 10/21/11
10.8 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Elevate (2011)'s reviews are separated by an average 10.8 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Elevate (2011) (9 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Elevate (2011)'s reviews cover 10.8% of potential readers (average is 68.2%). Volume:The film's reviews total 2,919 words involume (average is 19,979 words). Length:The film's reviews average 324 words in length (the norm is 512 words).
Reviews Broke 10 Days Before Release (Norm is 0.2 Release)
Elevate (2011)'s reviews on average broke 10 days before opening. Norm for this measure is 0.2 hours after. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Elevate (2011)'s opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Elevate (2011) (9 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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