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Reviews Counted:60
Fresh:32
Rotten:28
Average Rating:5.6/10
Consensus: The Stoning of Soraya M. nearly transcends its deficiencies through the sheer strength of its subject material, but ultimately drowns out its message with an inappropriately heavy-handed approach.
The point that it's making about the treatment of women under traditional Islam and the inhumane modes of punishment still prevalent in many countries...is sufficiently important that, with all its flaws, it deserves to be seen.
A reasonable person might well add the issue to the agenda after enduring this at times unbearably violent agitprop drama, based on the true story of an Iranian woman stoned to death after being falsely accused by her husband of adultery.
Goes well beyond its angry didacticism and its specific indictment of men's oppression of women to achieve the impact of a Greek tragedy through its masterful grasp of suspense and group psychology, and some superb acting.
Top CriticA powerful,riveting and important film sure to become one of the year's most controversial.
Fervidly but effectively makes the point how an entire community was complicit in a gruesome to watch honor killing.
[It] has strong performances and courageously exposes the horrifying, inhumane Islamic practice of stoning adulterers, but it suffers from poor character development and a contrived script that lacks subtlety, authenticity and emotional resonance.
Brilliant performances and the gripping horror of the ritualistic stoning of a woman to death make this truth-based narrative feature a modern day tragedy
Seeing this kind of injustice makes me feel challenged by Proverbs 31:8, 'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing.'
The film is plodding and simplistic.
The sort of film that gets its strength from subject matter rather than artistic choices, this sincere but unsubtle drama will likely earn additional attention due to its timeliness.
A riveting account of oppression, injustice and defiance.
The whole movie marches to that same, sad rhythm of unalterable horror, illuminated by Joel Ransom’s brutal and beautiful cinematography. The sum is difficult to watch.
A shocking yet stately and powerful plea for women's rights.
Top CriticThe film maintains an enveloping power even as its flaws come into full view.
The film comes perilously close to reveling in the horror while revealing it. And dramatically, this is distressingly simple-minded fare: ugliness leads to ugliness.
The more dramatic the material, the more restrained the approach ought to be.
This gory, ham-fisted hybrid of social-issue picture and horror film exerts a crude but undeniable power.
Soraya's story seems like it could he a fine film, but this isn't it.
Like The Magdalene Sisters, Soraya M offers its audience only those appalling truths they want to know about the evils of an alien culture they are already inclined to look down upon.
The film, shot elegantly in color but with the dramatic feel of black and white, functions as a parable of power abused by the multitude. It takes a village to turn craven stupidity into fascist bestiality.
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June 23, 2009:
Shohreh Aghdashloo, Fearless Advocate
Shohreh Aghdashloo has been an outspoken critic of the Iranian government for years -- and her latest film, "The Stoning of Soraya M.," arrives at a time when violent unrest in... More...
April 19, 2009:
Trailer & Poster review
More...
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|---|---|---|
| 100% | The Red Shoes | 11/12 |
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| 71% | Where the Wild Things Are | 11/12 |
| 67% | Carriers | 11/12 |
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