49
Metascore
8 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 63Chicago TribuneMichael PhillipsChicago TribuneMichael PhillipsThe kids are magnetic.
- 60One of the main explanations for our country’s inner-city high-school dropout rate is that public education doesn’t teach skills applicable to life outside the classroom. Director Mary Mazzio’s film, part documentary and part public-service announcement, offers a plausible alternative, which may prompt a discussion of totally revamping standard curriculum.
- It’s the type of film you might expect to see at a fund-raising dinner or a convention banquet, not in a commercial theater. That said, it’s a very well-made piece of boosterism.
- 50The A.V. ClubNathan RabinThe A.V. ClubNathan RabinLike "Art & Copy," Ten9Eight is blindingly slick, with a glossy visual aesthetic more rooted in music videos and commercials than cinéma vérité.
- 50Boston GlobeTy BurrBoston GlobeTy BurrIf Ten9Eight brings NFTE to the attention of you, your child, or your school administrator, that’s probably all that matters.
- 50Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles TimesSpending more observational time with her smart, resilient and stirringly positive subjects -- even seeing less-edited footage of their business plan speeches -- might have helped sell her inspirational story.
- 50Washington PostWashington PostLess weird than "Spellbound" and less fun than your average episode of "America's Top Model," Ten9Eight shoots for the moon, but scans like the background noise at a philanthropic retreat.
- 40Village VoiceVillage VoiceA glorified informercial, complete with enough blandly upbeat guitar-cues to power all 22 seasons of "Real World" intros.