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The Way We Get By (2009)

tomatometer

92

Average Rating: 7.5/10
Reviews Counted: 24
Fresh: 22 | Rotten: 2

The Way We Get By is a thoughtful, poignant look at some unsung American heroes.

86

Average Rating: 6.6/10
Critic Reviews: 7
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 1

The Way We Get By is a thoughtful, poignant look at some unsung American heroes.

audience

82

liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 1,041

My Rating

Movie Info

American service men and women are a frequent sight at the Bangor International Airport in Maine; many troops returning from overseas assignments pass through the airport as they make their way home or to their next mission. Since the United States invasion of Iraq in 2003, over 800,000 U.S. soldiers have arrived at Bangor International, and nearly all of them have been met by Bill Knight, Joan Gaudet, and Jerry Mundy. Calling themselves "the Maine Troop Greeters," Knight, Gaudet, and Mundy are

Unrated, 1 hr. 24 min.

Documentary, Special Interest

Nov 10, 2009

IFC Films

All Critics (24) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (2)

It is straightforward work. Yet over time, it becomes clearly, steadfastly about the existential.

September 25, 2009 Full Review Source: Denver Post | Comment
Denver Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Watching them issue hugs produces an involuntary response. You want to hug them, too.

August 27, 2009 Full Review Source: Boston Globe | Comment
Boston Globe
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Bring your handkerchiefs.

August 14, 2009 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | Comment
Los Angeles Times
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Although it has affecting moments, the film can't quite decide whether it's about aging or about the effects of war on the home front, and its modest scale is more appropriate for TV than the big screen.

July 17, 2009 Full Review Source: New York Post | Comment (1)
New York Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Unfailingly modest and profoundly humane.

July 17, 2009 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Aron Gaudet's film rages with quiet dignity against the dying of the light.

July 17, 2009 Comment
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The earnest documentary is filled with many small moments that are heartfelt.

November 15, 2009 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

plucks every heartstring but never in a manipulative or maudlin way.

November 12, 2009 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | Comment
Filmcritic.com

Both a moving testament to the elderly folks who meet the troops and an interesting look at the troops themselves.

October 2, 2009 Full Review Source: Washington Times | Comment

A poignant and lovingly constructed documentary ... and, even though it doesn't wear its politics on its sleeve, it is quite a patriotic picture.

September 1, 2009 Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | Comment
Internet Reviews

This is a nice documentary about nice people who are doing a nice thing.

August 17, 2009 Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | Comment
Reeling Reviews

I can't recall when I last noticed such a lovely and distinct color palette used in a documentary...a poetic reflection on man facing his mortality.

August 17, 2009 Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | Comment
Reeling Reviews

These remarkable individuals contribute to a story that is not just indescribably moving but is a timeless metaphor for our country.

July 27, 2009 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | Comment
eFilmCritic.com

A heartfelt, mildly fascinating documentary that lacks sufficient insight to keep you thoroughly intrigued and enlightened.

July 19, 2009 Full Review Source: NYC Movie Guru | Comment
NYC Movie Guru

Contains more useful, homespun philosophizing and genuine sentiment than a year's worth of narrative films. That it's so well made is a bonus.

July 17, 2009 Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | Comment
Boxoffice Magazine

The Way We Get By stays focused on the greeters' mix of loneliness and determination, the pleasure of feeling needed and the pain of growing old.

July 17, 2009 Full Review Source: PopMatters | Comment
PopMatters

The Way We Get By is neither pro- nor anti-war; it's a somber study of perpetually unsettled lives.

July 16, 2009 Full Review Source: AV Club | Comment
AV Club

Though Aron Gaudet's documentary never quite captures the relieved atmosphere of these homecomings, it does acknowledge the dark side of a cheery platitude: those on both sides of the divide are in need of healing.

July 15, 2009 Full Review Source: Time Out New York | Comment
Time Out New York

A beautiful, affecting documentary with an appropriately sweet original sound track.

July 15, 2009 Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | Comment
Hollywood Report Card
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Way We Get By

Powerful and a great Memorial Day view.

May 31, 2011

very subtle documentary. must see. very original.

December 27, 2010

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