A Dry White Season 1989

Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune: This is filmmaking meant to engage the heart -- and other visceral organs -- more than the mind; its effects are simple, broad and directly put. Read more

Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune: This film is unblinking in its depiction of the most violent side of apartheid. Read more

Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times: It's filled with obvious, earnest performances--Marlon Brando's ironic and subtle one is the only exception--and unresonant writing. Read more

Desmond Ryan, Philadelphia Inquirer: Searing, powerful and eye-opening. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: Mr. Brando appears only briefly and is badly missed. His character takes the whole film a notch above where it might otherwise go. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: The relentless plot is effectively set up and expertly pursued, and Hugh Masekela makes some striking contributions to Dave Grusin's musical score. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: This movie isn't just a plot, trotted out to manipulate us, but the painful examination of one man's change of conscience. Read more

Damon Wise, Time Out: Whites debating racial injustice: fine for a book published in Afrikaans a decade ago, but a poor premise for a message movie. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: A wrenching picture about South Africa that makes no expedient compromises with feel-good entertainment values, A Dry White Season displays riveting performances and visceral style. Read more

Jeanne Cooper, Washington Post: "A Dry White Season" bursts through your door and beats you senseless; it seems perverse to question its technique and only days later can you question its logic. Read more

Rita Kempley, Washington Post: "A Dry White Season" is political cinema so deeply felt it attains a moral grace. Read more