--- title: "The Forty-Year-Old Version: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-forty-year-old-version/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-forty-year-old-version" critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 18 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Forty-Year-Old Version (2020): what the critics said Critics' score 82 from 18 reviews: 17 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics respond warmly to The Forty-Year-Old Version, with praise centred on Radha Blank’s funny, self-deprecating performance and sharp writing about artistic compromise. The reviews repeatedly value its specific account of a Black woman finding her voice while facing pressure to make her work palatable to white audiences. Its black-and-white photography and attentive portrayal of New York neighbourhoods also draw praise, alongside rap lyrics that give its observations wit and bite. The reservations concern length and structure rather than Blank’s perspective. Several critics find the storytelling loose, with underdeveloped subplots and an overstretched final act. Variety considers it about half an hour too long, but finds that Blank’s distinctive voice makes it work. Polygon is more troubled by a final act it finds overlong and overly didactic. The spread is chiefly between enthusiasm and qualified approval: these complaints rarely overturn the warmth towards Blank’s performance and her treatment of creative freedom. ## Little White Lies — Cheyenne Bart-Stewart Rating 4/5/4. 30 September 2020. The critic calls the film a heartfelt, sharp triumph about artistic reinvention and who gets to tell Black stories. They praise its satire of well-meaning liberals and its evocative portrait of New York, while noting some pacing issues and undercooked subplots. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-forty-year-old-version) ## Radio Times — Emma Simmonds Rating 5/5. The critic calls the film a knockout debut. They praise its monochrome cinematography and Radha’s sublime rap lyrics. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-aw5njg/the-fortyyearold-version/) ## The AV Club — Shannon Miller Rating A-. 8 October 2020. The critic calls the film a stunning, sincere comedy about artistic compromise, praising its truthful and compassionate portrayal of marginalized artists. She particularly singles out Radha Blank’s fierce wit and the film’s authentic Brooklyn atmosphere. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/radha-blank-s-the-forty-year-old-version-is-a-stunning-1845272244) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 9 October 2020. Brody finds the film an enjoyable, self-aware work about artistic expression and compromise. He especially praises its visual composition and the moving scene in which Radha and D commemorate their mothers through improvised rhymes. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/the-forty-year-old-version-reviewed-a-playwrights-boldly-self-aware-comedy-of-art-and-compromise) ## Empire — Hanna Flint Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 30 September 2020. Flint gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, calling it endearing, erudite and humorous. She especially praises Radha Blank’s witty rap persona and the film’s fresh perspective on the artist’s struggle. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-forty-year-old-version/) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 October 2020. Chang gives the film a strongly positive verdict, praising its sharp, funny, and movingly specific portrait of an artist finding her voice. He singles out Blank’s elegant black-and-white cinematography and deft satire of artistic compromise and cultural privilege. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-10-01/forty-year-old-version-review-netflix-radha-blank) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Beandrea July Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2020. Festival review. The critic calls the film a beautiful achievement and an original, delightful debut. She especially praises its inventive visual language and its nuanced portrayal of a middle-aged Black woman artist. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/40-year-old-version-review-1272977/) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Rating Critics Pick. 26 January 2020. Festival review. Debruge praises Blank’s debut as witty, honest, and politically incisive, with her comic performance and sharp writing standing out. He finds the film about half an hour too long, but says its commitment to Blank’s distinctive voice makes it land. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/the-40-year-old-version-film-review-1203480321/) ## Sight and Sound Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 9 October 2020. The critic finds the film an enjoyable, authentic account of an artist navigating creative compromise and gatekeeping. They particularly praise Blank’s naturalistic direction and the loving portrayal of underrepresented parts of New York City. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/forty-year-old-version-netflix-radha-blank-off-broadway-playwright-rapper) ## The Guardian — Simran Hans Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 11 October 2020. Hans finds the debut warm, funny and sharply satirical in its depiction of creative compromise. She particularly praises its observation of how women of colour are pushed to reshape their work for white audiences. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/oct/11/the-40-year-old-version-review-radha-blank-sundance) ## IndieWire — Eric Kohn Rating B. 25 January 2020. Festival review. Kohn finds the film charming, purposeful, and driven by Blank’s infectious performance, despite its loose structure and excess length. He particularly praises its sharp observations about Black storytelling and Blank’s fresh, personal voice. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-40-year-old-version-review-radha-blank-sundance-1202205388/) ## Slant Magazine — Pat Brown Rating 3/4. 7 October 2020. The critic finds the film spirited and ultimately uplifting despite thin narrative contrivances and a dragging ending. They praise its memorable neighborhood characters and Blank’s honest, self-deprecating performance. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-forty-year-old-version-review-radha-blank/) ## Vulture — Alison Willmore Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 7 October 2020. Willmore finds the film likable, rueful, and rewarding despite its diffuse storytelling. She praises its intimate, raw feel and the painful authenticity of Radha’s artistic struggles. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-radha-blanks-the-forty-year-old-version.html) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2020. Festival review. Grierson presents the film as a lively debut about a woman rediscovering her creativity. The standfirst singles out its autobiographical story and creative renewal for praise. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-40-year-old-version-sundance-review/5146500.article) ## The New York Times — Jeannette Catsoulis Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 8 October 2020. The page could not be accessed, so its critical verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the supplied text. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/08/movies/the-forty-year-old-version-review.html) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds Blank’s debut brave, bracingly honest and unlike anything else. They single out its truthful humor and stylish black-and-white photography. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/the-forty-year-old-version-radha-blank-2778461) ## Polygon — Robert Daniels Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 9 October 2020. The critic finds it a fresh, funny, and incisive film about Black creative freedom, though its final act feels overlong and overly didactic. They praise Radha Blank’s down-to-earth performance and sharp vision for examining the costs of artistic compromise. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/2020/10/9/21510116/forty-year-old-version-review-netflix-radha-blank-racial-drama-hip-hop-comedy/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2020. Festival review. The critic finds the film fresh, honest, and invigorating, though overpacked and meandering. Blank’s performance and candid portrayal of a Black artist seeking her voice are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/the-40-year-old-version-film-review-radha-blank/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-forty-year-old-version.md