63
Metascore
7 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerChristian Science MonitorPeter RainerThe strongest exchange in the film comes when he is confronted by several angry black activists who believe what he is doing is self-abasing and hurtful to the cause of civil rights. It is left for you to be the judge. I think he’s a hero. Every little bit helps.
- 75MTV NewsAmy NicholsonMTV NewsAmy Nicholson[Davis's] insistence on shaking hands and showing respect — the opposite of the behavior you see on Twitter — patiently chips away at their preconceptions about race. It's like he's trying to carve the Lincoln Memorial with a scalpel.
- 70Los Angeles TimesKimber MyersLos Angeles TimesKimber MyersIt may lack focus in its approach to its subject, but Davis’ compelling character and powerful message keep the audience engaged.
- 70VarietyDennis HarveyVarietyDennis HarveyThe differing responses Accidental Courtesy is likely to evoke in viewers make it a great conversation-starter for public and educational forums.
- 70The New York TimesGlenn KennyThe New York TimesGlenn KennyMr. Davis, speaking to Faith Morris of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, poses a knotty question about how far his cause of eliminating race hate has yet to go. Her reply: “How long is this documentary going to be?”
- 50Slant MagazineElise NakhnikianSlant MagazineElise NakhnikianThe film is a debater with some interesting points to make but no overall argument to contain them.
- 50Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlVillage VoiceAlan ScherstuhlDavis holds forth memorably on the histories of country, blues, and rock 'n' roll. (He played with Chuck Berry.) But neither he nor Accidental Courtesy has much time to consider the scene with the BLM activists, who, in the film's schematic presentation, get depicted as something like a Klan equivalent — just less friendly.