Blame It on Fidel (La Faute a Fidel) Reviews
New York Press
[Director] Gavras has undeniable skill as a screenwriter, suggesting that the production might have benefited from a more experienced helmer.
ReelTalk Movie Reviews
The film lacks a sympathetic character even in its eternally petulant child protagonist and is lax in differentiating who's who.
Top CriticIt's all too easy to read Blame It On Fidel as a simple morality tale, an allegory comparing conservatism to childishness, and political awakening to emotional maturity.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/4
The film contains a surprising amount of understated humor.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/4
Murphy's Movie Reviews
The film beautifully captures the interplay between self-involved parents who expect their children to embrace their beliefs and the free-thinking young girl with a mind of her own.
Full Review
| Original Score: B+
Gavras's style is already as assured as her father's, and her ability to balance the audience's understanding of grown-up beliefs with that of a rapidly maturing girl is deft.
Critical Women
Strange, bearded house guests shake up a peeved little girl's life, infusing it with political imagination and wonder.
Financial Times
Gavras is an experienced maker of documentaries, but this assured, intelligent film marks an auspicious beginning to her career in fictional features.
Guardian [UK]
French director Julie Gavras neatly side-steps the cliches of 70s radicalism with her terrific debut.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
The young heroine is rather humorless, but Gavras's intelligence and skillful touch are evident throughout.
Sky Movies
Illuminating, witty and touching, Blame it on Fidel is a gem just awaiting discovery.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
One of those rare films that maintain unwavering fidelity to a child's view of the world.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/6
Daily Telegraph
A smashing, funny and politically sophisticated feature debut from Julie (daughter of Costa) Gavras.
Film Threat
Watching the dawn of Anna's political consciousness is a delight.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/5
Film4
A smart, amusing take on some serious issues that's fortunate in its excellent young leading lady and its ability to laugh at its own political excesses.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
thelondonpaper
A wry and observant film with plenty of understated humour.
A deft, original, entertaining and thoughtful look at that moment when we realise the world's just that bit more complicated than we thought.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/6
Reeling Reviews
...simply one of the best films ever from a child's point of view.
Full Review
| Original Score: A
Reeling Reviews
...an adult-level film that does a great job of giving a child's view of a world in the throes of change.
Full Review
| Original Score: A-
Film-Forward.com
That [Kevel's] in almost every frame, with the entire film resting on her shoulders, makes documentarian Gavras's first feature even more remarkable.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/5
