RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / An Unreasonable Man
An Unreasonable Man

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

An Unreasonable Man (2007)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
92 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:59

Fresh:54

Rotten:5

Average Rating:7.4/10

Consensus: A compelling documentary that humanizes the controversial, polarizing politician.

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 2 hrs 3 mins

Genre: Education/General Interest

Theatrical Release:Feb 2, 2007 Limited

Synopsis: As quietly provocative as its thoughtful protagonist, Steve Skrovan and Henriette Mantel's galvanizing documentary, AN UNREASONABLE MAN, examines how one of the 20th century's most admired and... As quietly provocative as its thoughtful protagonist, Steve Skrovan and Henriette Mantel's galvanizing documentary, AN UNREASONABLE MAN, examines how one of the 20th century's most admired and indefatigable social activists, Ralph Nader, became a pariah among the same progressive circles he helped champion. Utilizing the standard documentary formula of archival footage, talking-head interviews, and the occasional computer-animated graphic, the film deftly traces Nader's life and career with a robust, lively pace that follows him from his upbringing in a Lebanese immigrant family that took its commitment to civic engagement very seriously (the family discussed politics at the dinner table and attended town-hall meetings together) to his role as the leading consumer advocate of the 1960s and '70s (when he took on the automobile industry and became responsible for many safety features modern consumers take for granted, such as seatbelts and airbags). But the film really picks up steam--and takes the form of an impassioned public debate--when it tackles the contentious 2000 and 2004 presidential runs that elicited accusations of splitting the Democratic vote and enabling the election of George W. Bush, making enemies of Nader's most ardent supporters (including celebrity pundits Michael Moore and Bill Maher; liberal journalists Eric Alterman and Todd Gitlin; and even former members of Nader's own advocacy group, Nader's Raiders) while cementing the continued respect of fellow activists like Mark Green and James Ridgeway. That all these figures appear on screen--alongside such disparate political luminaries as Phil Donahue, Pat Buchanan, and Nader himself--stands as a testament to the film's balanced approach, one that makes a nonpartisan plea that such a lifelong crusader for social justice not be remembered as a mere "spoiler," but as a consummate public advocate and a living example of the average citizen's power to participate in the democratic process. [More]

Director: Steve Skrovan, Henriette Mantel

Director: Steve Skrovan, Henriette Mantel
Studio: IFC Films

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Trailer
    >
1 of 1

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Jun 12, 2007

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for An Unreasonable Man

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Stylus Magazine | comment Comment
12/01/07
Bill Weber
Bill Weber
Stylus Magazine

...the career of consumer advocate Ralph Nader, in an adoring hagiography...

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
05/10/07
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

This fascinating documentary examines the issues raised by Nader's runs for the presidency...that shone a powerful light into our grubby political shadows, and also played a part...that twice put George W. Bush into the White House.

Full Review Source: Film.com | comment Comment
05/02/07
Jonathan F. Richards
Jonathan F. Richards
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It can't help but remind us that the man Nader prevented from becoming president has since been more instrumental in the war on environmental pollution than any other public figure. Irony abounds.

Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press | comment Comment
04/20/07
Terry Lawson
Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Press
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Ralph Nader gives and he takes away.

Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
04/11/07
Phil Villarreal
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star

... the not-so-subtle message of the movie is that the unreasonableness that gave us seat belts and clean air also gave us Bush, Iraq and the neo-conservative nightmare.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
04/09/07
William Arnold
William Arnold
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

You may walk away from it still wondering why Nader persisted in running for president in 2004 after being repeatedly begged not to. But, whether or not you admire the decision, the film forces you to admire the determination with which Nader made it.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
04/07/07
Moira MacDonald
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times

It's that willingness, even eagerness, to put in such passionate contrary viewpoints that distinguishes "An Unreasonable Man" from the usual political documentary.

Full Review Source: Capital Times (Madison, WI) | comment Comment
04/06/07
Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)

An Unreasonable Man doubles as both a thinkpiece and a sympathetic portrait of its subject. But like Nader, the film is a little long-winded and infuriatingly single-minded.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
03/31/07
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

The filmmakers present compelling evidence of Nader's legacy ... but they also let Nader off the hook [for his role in allowing] the Bush administration's dismantling of that very legacy.

Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment 1 Comment
03/30/07
Sean Means
Sean Means
Salt Lake Tribune

This documentary starts out as a fascinating profile of consumer advocate Ralph Nader, but it ends up getting derailed by a political discussion marked by an abundance of whining.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment 2 Comments
03/29/07
Jeff Strickler
Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Unlike most recent documentaries, An Unreasonable Man doesn't just preach to the choir.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
03/29/07
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

this incisive and often surprising documentary captures a man of true and deeply held convictions without creating a hagiography

Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
03/26/07
Andrea Chase
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews

[K]ind of sad, and kind of telling -- this truly is a man who has dedicated his life to his work, and his work is us...

Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | comment Comment
03/21/07
MaryAnn Johanson
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher

The first half of the movie is an absorbing study of this part of Nader's public life, and then it switches -- as he did -- to politics, where the results for both him and the picture are less cheerful.

Full Review Source: San Jose Mercury News | comment Comment
03/16/07
Bruce Newman
Bruce Newman
San Jose Mercury News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An Unreasonable Man pays true homage to a man of vehemently held ideas by forcing us to engage our brains at the same high level of consciousness.

Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
03/16/07
Michael Booth
Michael Booth
Denver Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Manages to launch a heated argument between Nader's supporters and a few detractors.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
03/09/07
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

For most of an entertaining 122 minutes, the film simply tells the story of Nader's life and chronicles his struggles and crusades.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
03/09/07
Mick LaSalle
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Despite Mantel's ties to Rader, the film seems fairly balanced.

Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
03/02/07
Jack Garner
Jack Garner
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

A worthy and compelling look at a unique and essentially American figure.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
03/02/07
Shawn Levy
Shawn Levy
Oregonian
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
all

Latest News for An Unreasonable Man

April 28, 2007: Trailer & Poster review Opens in new window
More...

February 01, 2007: Critical Consensus: "Because" Is Less Than So-So; "Messengers" Not Screened -- Guess The Tomatometer!
This week at the movies, we've got mother/daughter conflict ("Because I Said So," starring Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore) and dark proceedings on a North Dakota... More...

See All

More DVDs

Close
Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
15% 15% The Ugly Truth
98% 98% Up
36% 36% G.I. Joe: The Rise of …
52% 52% The Taking of Pelham 1…
45% 45% Ice Age: Dawn of the D…

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
36% 36% Angels & Demons
68% 68% Funny People
25% 25% Four Christmases
45% 45% Shorts

More New Releases…

See All

RT On Current TV

The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

Learn how you can be part of the show

More...

What’s Hot On RT

Avatar

Avatar

Watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes video!

Box Office

Box Office

New Moon #1, breaks TDK records

RT's Gift Guide

RT's Gift Guide

Give the best movies, gear, and more!

Ninja Assassin

Ninja Assassin

Learn to train like a ninja in this clip!

Other News

Close
  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Natalie Portman Says Kat Denning Is in Thor Source: MTV
4
  • Disney Restructuring Has Broad Implications Source: Los Angeles Times
9
  • Joel Silver Talks Ninja Assassin, Sgt. Rock, Lobo, and More Source: Collider.com
1
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
106
  • Idris Elba Joins Thor Source: Hollywood Reporter
112
  • Jackass 3D Coming in 2010? Source: Collider.com
32
  • 6 Reasons 'Twilight' Is Doomed Source: The Wrap
64
  • Forbes Names Hollywood's Most Overpaid Actors Source: Forbes
20
  • Chris Weitz Says He's (Almost) Done with Directing Source: Film School Rejects
26
  • Spider-Man 4 Casting Rumors Multiply Like Rabbits Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
51
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: New Moon Shatters Records
162
  • Critics Consensus: New Moon Wanes
129
  • Tomatometer Watch: Will Twilight's New Moon Dazzle?
97
  • Total Recall: Star-Crossed Lovers
75
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
53
  • Five Favorite Films with Werner Herzog
50
  • Total Recall: John Travolta's Best Movies
40
  • Friday Harvest: New Moon, Avatar, and more!
32
  • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Angels & Demons, Funny People, and Superman
13
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
5
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
5
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
8
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
19
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
6
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
18
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
8
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
  • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
28
  • Duncan Jones talks Moon, Sam Rockwell, and Mute
14
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • An Unreasonable Man at Rotten Tomatoes
  • An Unreasonable Man at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
Star Trek DVD Exclusive
Star Trek DVD Exclusive External Link

TECHLAND gives us a first look at the extras, including Leonard Nimoy's last day on set!

The New Cult Canon
The New Cult Canon External Link

AV Club looks at a beloved cult classic, Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness.

New Moon Portraits
New Moon Portraits External Link

TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

Unsexiest Men Alive
Unsexiest Men Alive External Link

Moviefone lists their choices for the least attractive men in Hollywood.

Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Follow RT on Twitter External Link

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.