Rotten Tomatoes Logo Do you want to see ‘Persepolis’?

Persepolis (2007)

tomatometer

97

Average Rating: 8.2/10
Reviews Counted: 148
Fresh: 143 | Rotten: 5

Persepolis is an emotionally powerful, dramatically enthralling autobiographical gem, and the film's simple black-and-white images are effective and bold.

97

Average Rating: 8.1/10
Critic Reviews: 38
Fresh: 37 | Rotten: 1

Persepolis is an emotionally powerful, dramatically enthralling autobiographical gem, and the film's simple black-and-white images are effective and bold.

audience

92

liked it
Average Rating: 4.2/5
User Ratings: 43,327

My Rating

Movie Info

Filmmakers Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi collaborated to co-write and co-direct this adaptation of Satrapi's bestselling autobiographical graphic novel detailing the trials faced by an outspoken Iranian girl who finds her unique attitude and outlook on life repeatedly challenged during the Islamic revolution. The English-language version features the voice talents of Sean Penn, Gena Rowlands, and Iggy Pop, with Catherine Deneuve and Chiara Mastroianni reprising their roles from the

Jun 24, 2008

$4.3M

Sony Pictures Classics

Cast

All Critics (148) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (151) | Rotten (5) | DVD (15)

An exuberant autobiographical film and dark-horse contender for an animated feature Oscar.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: CNN.com | Comment
CNN.com
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The film's nuanced view of social issues is complemented by lovely black-and-white animation work that blends Islamic motifs into a sort of Yellow Submarine-ish world.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: NPR.org | Comment
NPR.org
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The subtlety of the interplay among the three generations of women is extraordinary.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Slate | Comment
Slate
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Persepolis is a superb film about a young girl's coming of age amidst war, fascism and family tragedy.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Toronto Star | Comment
Toronto Star
Top Critic IconTop Critic

It's striking how much emotion Satrapi is able to convey through these blocky drawings, which are simple but powerfully chosen.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | Comment
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Animated by hand, often in glorious black and white, this French classic has the pathos, wit and intellectual sting of great political filmmaking.

February 8, 2008 Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | Comment
Orlando Sentinel
Top Critic IconTop Critic

There's very little that's whimsical about this coming-of-age chronicle, but if we're looking for political reflection we're reading the wrong comic book.

April 28, 2011 Full Review Source: East Bay Express | Comment
East Bay Express

Extremely entertaining, often moving and an eye-opener to those of us who know little about Iran.

July 6, 2010 Full Review Source: Cinema Autopsy | Comment
Cinema Autopsy

Based on her own graphic novel, Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud's film is a masterly work.

July 6, 2010 Full Review Source: Future Movies UK | Comment

A moving, intimate, complex, visually beautiful black-and-white story.

July 6, 2010 Full Review Source: Movies.com | Comment
Movies.com

A gentle dance performed at the edge of the abyss

August 27, 2009 Full Review Source: CinePassion | Comment
CinePassion

Marjane learns that there's no place like home. And we Americans watching realize that people have homes even in the heart of the Axis of Evil.

April 23, 2009 Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | Comment
Boston Phoenix

Un hallazgo, realmente. Y una bellísima película animada que no es precisamente para niños (...)

November 20, 2008 Full Review Source: Uruguay Total | Comment
Uruguay Total

un récit d'une remarquable sensibilité s'imposant comme une oeuvre de marque au sein d'un genre que nous n'avons pas encore l'habitude de voir sous un jour aussi politisé

October 29, 2008 Full Review Source: Panorama | Comment

Here is an adaptation so inspired, so simple and so frictionless in its transformation of the source material that it's almost a miracle.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | Comment
Guardian [UK]

Satrapi's life story is exhilarating and heartbreaking; filtering political events through her youthful experience of them creates a very different, very human picture of Iran.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | Comment
Jam! Movies

Effortlessly [juggles] comedy and drama to create a refreshing take on the classic coming-of-age tale unlike anything we've ever seen before.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Bullz-Eye.com | Comment
Bullz-Eye.com
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Persepolis

Just about as expected. In fact, I was prepared for worse experience while opting for it. It had too much in it that appealed me to stay away from it. But as usual, I couldn't ignore its high rating for ever (I did it for long, though). Of course, had it been a movie for kids, I might not have dared to go for it. A

December 13, 2011
imrealgod

Super Reviewer

This smart animated film tells the story of the Islamic revolution in Iran from the eyes of a open minded young girl, growing up to be a woman both inside and abroad of the country. That's surprisingly informative as a history lesson, both funny and dark and realistic at times, but always striking the right tone. While

September 23, 2007
ironclad1609

Super Reviewer

    1. Marjane's Grandmother (French and English Version): The first marriage is practice for the second.
    – Submitted by rob g (9 months ago)
    1. Marjane's Grandmother (French and English Version): Fear lulls our minds to sleep.
    – Submitted by rob g (9 months ago)

Latest News for Persepolis

June 23, 2008:
RT on DVD: A Killer Sopranos Set; WALL-E Gets a Friend
You thought the Sex and the City DVD collection was expensive? Start saving up for the ultimate...

December 25, 2007:
Critical Consensus: Water Horse is Refreshing, Debaters is Great, Juno is Certifed Fresh
This week at the movies, we have galactic monsters (Alien vs Predator: Requiem), ol' Nessie (The...

What's Hot On RT

Weekly Ketchup
Weekly Ketchup

Adam Sandler's Candy Land

Critics Consensus
Critics Consensus

Woman in Black is Solid

The Avengers!
The Avengers!

Five new Marvelous pictures

Total Recall
Total Recall

Unconventional Superheroes

Top Movie Quizzes

LEGO Mania: 2011 Best Picture Nominees
by natalie - 18,344 taken
created 12 months ago
How Much Do You Know About Leonardo DiCaprio?
by natalie - 43,895 taken
created 15 months ago
Pixar Movies!
by jdikwlzviv - 26,849 taken
created 15 months ago
The Wizards of Harry Potter
by jdikwlzviv - 27,334 taken
created 15 months ago

Foreign Titles

  • Persépolis (ES)
Help | About | Jobs | Newsletter | Critics Submission | API | Licensing | Blog | Developers | Mobile