There's no problem with a little bias, but Friedman's fan-boy perspective puts the subjects of Only the Strong Survive on too high a pedestal.
Comment
06/26/03
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Only the Strong Survive (2003)
62
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Reviews Counted:45
Fresh:28
Rotten:17
Average Rating:6/10
Consensus: Though this documentary could be more informative, the performances themselves are wonderful.
Theatrical Release:May 9, 2003 Limited
Synopsis: Influential documentarian D.A. Pennebaker, perhaps best known for his 1967 Bob Dylan documentary DON'T LOOK BACK, co-directs ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE, a fascinating look at some of the most... [More]
Starring: William Bell, Isaac Hayes, Sam Moore, Wilson Pickett
Director: Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker
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Reviews for Only the Strong Survive
Top CriticWitnessing these singers' grace is a pleasure.
05/08/03
Click to read the article
05/17/03
I'm not sure where you go to church, but you're unlikely to experience anything as holy as Jerry Butler doing a live version of his soul classic 'For Your Precious Love' in Only the Strong Survive.
05/09/03
Top CriticClick to read the article
07/02/03
The artists remain charismatic presences.
03/10/03
Must be appreciated as an idiosyncratic chronicle as well as a collection of performances, some better than others.
05/08/03
Top Critic...fails to give audiences as much frame of reference for the unifying economic, political and atmospheric elements that made the Stax brand of R&B soul music so powerful.
06/13/09
Invaluable as a record of its subjects (including the late, great Rufus Thomas), but it doesn't cohere as a feature...
05/15/03
Winningly revived soul music, reports of whose death have been grossly exaggerated.
01/24/03
The movie is redeemed by the performances, which are uniformly good.
05/08/03
Top CriticA celebration of the under-appreciated, and if any purpose beyond that is a bit fuzzy, it's a harmless aimlessness that likely won't get in the way for fans of the music.
05/09/03
In this wonderfully musical, funny, good-hearted movie, the strong don't just survive, they thrive.
05/09/03
... the music is great, but as a film thumbs down.
05/12/03
Top CriticI would have prefered deeper insights... [but] as a concert film, this one’s a blast.
01/31/04
No review available.
10/01/05
A loving look at soul's golden era that leaves you wanting more; a disappointment in some respects because it doesn't craft a more comprehensive, cohesive background.
05/12/03
A vital musical ramble, showing us where some of soul's founders landed after their moment of pop glory.
05/07/03
Top CriticDives deep into the soul and rhythm-and-blues genres, spotlighting some first-rate performers who are still making powerful, vibrant music.
03/22/03
This film has so many chances to spice up the screen... and passes.
01/25/03
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