That's What I Am 2011

Stephen Holden, New York Times: Mr. Harris's depiction of a saintly, soft-spoken, bow-tie-wearing middle-school teacher lends the movie a moral weight it probably couldn't have summoned had another actor played the role. Read more

Stephen Garrett, Time Out: Lessons are learned, bullies get their comeuppance, and every Wonder Years plot device is trotted out for maximum and-I-was-never-the-same-again nostalgia. Read more

Alison Willmore, AV Club: A placard preceding the film's title card assures that it's "inspired by true events," but the note is unnecessary, given the limpness of the narrative arcs. Who would make up such an anticlimactic story? Read more

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor: Since a large portion of the film is taken up with the theme of school bullying, it may have some contemporary relevance, but good intentions do not always a good movie make. Read more

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: A forgettable title and a barely there theatrical release don't do justice to the captivating and nostalgic coming-of-age dramedy "That's What I Am"... Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: An entertaining, well-made plea for tolerance... Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: Nothing turns out as you might expect, and the plot twists provide unexpected suspense. Read more

Lael Loewenstein, Variety: Agreeable, uplifting and earnest almost to a fault. Read more

Michelle Orange, Village Voice: The writing hits the weeds on occasion, but Pavone evokes with feeling adolescence as a series of outlandish physical punishments and sweetly remembered firsts. Read more