National Gallery 2014

Wesley Morris, Grantland: Sitting there with something like National Gallery, it's not the rush of time you feel. It's the rush of applied skill. Read more

Farran Smith Nehme, New York Post: The elder statesman of American documentary, Frederick Wiseman, returns with an in-depth look at London's great museum, home to a spectacular array of masterpieces. Read more

Steve Dollar, Wall Street Journal: Like many of the 39 documentaries Frederick Wiseman has made since his controversial debut with Titicut Follies in 1967, this film is a leisurely if disciplined exploration of an institution, patient in its observances and curious about every detail. Read more

Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: Mr. Wiseman's film, like the institution it examines, enhances the art of seeing, the pleasure of understanding. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: Though Wiseman's now well into his 80s, his eye's as sharp as ever. Read more

Jay Weissberg, Variety: Turning his camera on works of art and the people who steer the distinguished London complex, the grand old man of hands-off documentaries studies paintings and bears witness to staff meetings, curatorial discussions and gallery talks. Read more

Mike D'Angelo, AV Club: After 47 years of making documentaries, Frederick Wiseman has his methodology down pretty darn pat, for better or worse (usually better). Read more

Mark Feeney, Boston Globe: "It's this wonderful mixture of observation and imagination," a lecturer says of Leonardo's "Madonna of the Rocks," one of the museum's prize possessions. Something similar can be said of Wiseman and his film. Read more

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor: Frederick Wiseman's documentary National Gallery is for art lovers, movie lovers -- basically for anybody. Read more

Joe McGovern, Entertainment Weekly: [An] iridescent look at London's premier art institution. Read more

Jordan Mintzer, Hollywood Reporter: If a picture is worth a thousand words, then there are at least a million things worth talking about in National Gallery. Read more

Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: It is such a gift that Frederick Wiseman, who is edging toward 85, continues to let his curiosity and his craft fill his days and our theaters. Read more

John Anderson, Newsday: An immersion in art and humanity. Read more

David Denby, New Yorker: The museum's interior is neoclassical, and Wiseman's severely restrained style of filmmaking matches it perfectly. Read more

Manohla Dargis, New York Times: Like most of Mr. Wiseman's work, the movie is at once specific and general, fascinating in its pinpoint detail and transporting in its cosmic reach. Read more

David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle: "National Gallery," a meandering trip through the famed London art institution, has many sublime scenes - and some tedious ones, too. Read more

Peter Howell, Toronto Star: National Gallery presents the famous art space as almost a living and breathing thing, with all the complications and rough glory that implies. Read more

Keith Uhlich, Time Out: You may initially find yourself missing the emotional pull of the film's first sections, but it's all to an increasingly intriguing point. Read more

Nick Schager, Village Voice: Long, leisurely paced, wide-ranging, meticulously crafted, intellectually intricate, and touched with profundity. Read more

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: "National Gallery" could have used a few more edits; its long run time may limit its appeal. But the film is remarkably engaging and, with close looks at so many important pieces of art, bursting with beauty. Read more