Kings's reviews
Media reviews
Variety
"Oh, and it just might be the most daring movie of the year ? although that, in and of itself, only gets you so far, especially after the epic downer that was Kathryn Bigelow?s 'Detroit' (a movie no one expected to be fun but we all had reason to hope might at least be good)".
Chicago Sun-Times
"It?s also one of the few times 'Kings' delivers an impactful moment, even though the rest of the film is set against the backdrop of the trial of the four LAPD officers who beat Rodney King, and the riots that ignited after all four were acquitted".
El Periódico
"'Kings' is one of the most disconcerting, and failed, of the ones made last year (...). The are plenty of ambitions. The result, stammering."
The Guardian
"There are some powerful moments in 'Kings', certainly. The convenience store shooting of Latasha Harlins ? just days after the King beating, and without any prison sentence for its perpetrator ? is shockingly portrayed, and Ergüven shows the flashes of random hysteria and chaos that a riot creates. But it?s a misstep for this talented director".
Rolling Stone
"The film?s comedic tone (wait till you watch Obie tossing furniture off his balcony) is all Ergüven?s idea, an absurdist twist so daring you root for it to work".
El País
"It's a film almost as rude, with a lack of quality and with no precision, accuracy and softness as the sentence (Rodney King's case)."
The Hollywood Reporter
"Understated and silly at the same time (...) 'Kings' is a total mix not convincing (...) There's no doubt there are some scenes of the riot that are powerful."
Indiewire
"[It] is so determined to be hopeful that it forgets to be honest. Ergüven vividly illustrates an open wound, only to dress it with a used bandaid. Told without weight or patience"
New York Times
"[It] is well-acted across the board, and contains more than a few outstanding, unpredictable scenes (...) The movie bites off more than it can coherently chew."
The Wrap
"Deniz Gamze Erguven is skilled at portraying messy family ties, but her film falls short in other areas (...) Appealing at times and disappointing at others."
Festival Internacional de Cine de Lanzarote