48
Metascore
11 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 83The Film StageChristopher SchobertThe Film StageChristopher SchobertAs It Was is a tremendously entertaining, surprisingly moving film.
- 70Film ThreatAlex SavelievFilm ThreatAlex SavelievWhat keeps you rapt is that permeating, subtle feeling of sadness, of bitterness and regret. Whether it was an intentional choice in a “comeback” documentary remains debatable – but that’s what truly works about it, is its driving momentum.
- 60EmpireIan FreerEmpireIan FreerLiam Gallagher: As It Was lacks the narrative shape and drama of previous Oasis doc Supersonic, but provides an interesting snapshot of an artist in transition, both professionally and personally.
- 60The GuardianMike McCahillThe GuardianMike McCahillThough one very sharp montage nails the bewilderment of touring, much of As It Was resembles any other rock doc with an access-all-areas pass, and it has one of those contractual-obligation climaxes designed to dovetail with the wider promotion of new material. It benefits considerably from a subject who’s bolstered his charisma with a newfound humility, an awareness of the world beyond the Roman nose.
- 58The A.V. ClubJosh ModellThe A.V. ClubJosh ModellIt’s a good story—especially the focus on music as redeemer—but it does feel a bit too warm and fuzzy.
- 50Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreThe saving grace of “As It Was” is Gallagher’s saving grace as well, that John Lennon-meets-John Lydon voice, the songs he wrote or co-wrote that brought him back from the dead, the album that restored his place in British rock.
- 50Los Angeles TimesMichael RechtshaffenLos Angeles TimesMichael RechtshaffenThe documentary can’t help but feel like a promo piece despite providing some insightful backstage glimpses into its subject’s well-publicized life.
- 40The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckStriving to be an inspirational story about personal and professional redemption, the film mainly comes across as a self-aggrandizing promotional project that the famously arrogant pop star would have once sneered at.
- 40The Observer (UK)Wendy IdeThe Observer (UK)Wendy IdeThe Liam Gallagher of old, with his shrapnel wit and swaggering crusade against being “suckered in by the dickheads”, would have tossed a grenade into the editing suite rather than sanction a doc that is more extended corporate rebranding exercise than it is rock’n’roll.