74
Metascore
9 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 88RogerEbert.comMatt FagerholmRogerEbert.comMatt FagerholmResembling Maude Apatow in her youth, Rachel is a richly fascinating figure in her own right, and though she originally hadn’t planned on putting herself in the film, she wisely chose to have her face on camera (a la Bing Liu in “Minding the Gap”) when interviewing Josh, which heightens the emotional impact of their scenes together considerably.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterKeith UhlichThe Hollywood ReporterKeith Uhlich[A] very funny, very moving documentary.
- 80Film ThreatFilm ThreatThis extreme level of intimacy also becomes the film’s main drawback, however, as Mason is so close to her subjects that there’s no way she can possibly remain impartial.
- 75Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreThe film doesn’t judge, either. Viewers who might cringe at the subject matter can decide for themselves if the sweeping changes in the culture that the ensuing decades have brought have been glorious, catastrophic or a seriously mixed bag.
- 70VarietyPeter DebrugeVarietyPeter DebrugeCircus of Books is an affectionate look at one of the most unusual mom and pop businesses in America, directed by the person who knew Mom and Pop best.
- 70Los Angeles TimesGlenn WhippLos Angeles TimesGlenn WhippRachel Mason performs a nice bit of misdirection with the film, starting with humorous juxtapositions of this nice, elderly Jewish couple running a gay porn shop and then moving toward a poignant story of acceptance.
- 70The New York TimesTeo BugbeeThe New York TimesTeo BugbeeThe remembrances are the movie’s heart — not a family secret, but a community’s pride.
- 70Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternWall Street JournalJoe MorgensternPeople can indeed live at war with themselves and not know it. Here’s a case of great things happening once peace is declared.