The Interrupters (2011)

Ebert calls the film Steve James's most important work, praising its focus on the brave ex-convicts who intervene in Chicago street violence. He highlights the film's depiction of their trust-building efforts amid a national epidemic of senseless killings.

The critic praises the film as a compelling, street-level documentary on Chicago's CeaseFire violence interrupters, comparable to The Wire but entirely true. It highlights the program's innovative approach through the detailed, courageous work of three former gang members.

The critic finds the documentary an inspirational and heartbreaking nail-biter that follows the Sisyphean task of gang mediators with novelistic scope akin to Hoop Dreams. It singles out the interrupters' street credibility, personal transformations, and moments of tension and humanity for particular praise.

Dargis describes the documentary as a hard-hitting look at violence interrupters in Chicago who put themselves in harm's way. She singles out the intimate access to the interrupters' personal stories and their work as giving a face to an American tragedy.

The review calls the film a powerful extension of Steve James's earlier work, embedding with CeaseFire mediators who use their criminal pasts for credibility in halting violence. It praises the inspiring subtlety of the interventions but notes the 125-minute cut feels rushed compared to longer festival versions.

The Interrupters is a remarkable report from the frontline of Chicago's violence epidemic, following three charismatic interrupters who save lives one at a time through intervention and persuasion. Ameena Matthews stands out as a vivid, endlessly watchable character.

The review affirms that the film is needed despite familiar inner-city stories, commending Steve James for documenting the daily work of CeaseFire interrupters without easy narratives or finger-pointing. It singles out Ameena Matthews as the standout for her intense self-possession and effectiveness.

The critic highlights the film's focus on the inspiring yet volatile work of CeaseFire interrupters mediating gang conflicts in Chicago. It commends the empathetic portrayal of the activists' personal histories and their nuanced interventions while noting the challenges of capturing the ongoing epidemic.

Turan finds the film surprisingly moving for its refusal to soften the reality of street violence while showing that change is possible one person at a time. He praises the integrity of the collaboration between James and Kotlowitz and the focus on three dedicated interrupters.

The film offers a clear and powerful picture of the desperate sadness arising from urban violence in Chicago, including funerals and memorials. The critic would have liked more on the CeaseFire founder Gary Slutkin and his views on a potential tipping point.

The review describes the film as an eye-opening account of efforts to end Chicago's violence epidemic, alternating shocking glimpses with convincing optimism about new methods. It praises the fascinating interrupters and well-crafted sequences but suggests the length and detail suit television better than theatrical release.

Steve James's absorbing documentary focuses on three former gang members working as Violence Interrupters in Chicago's CeaseFire program. The eloquent Ameena Matthews stands out as inspiring amid uplifting moments, though a sense of hopelessness still dominates.

Debruge calls it Steve James's most ambitious project, profiling courageous Chicago activists who intervene in fights and coach conflict resolution. He notes strong characters and scenes but criticizes the unwieldy 164-minute length from its Sundance premiere cut.

This long documentary by Steve James follows three Violence Interrupters on Chicago's violent streets, drawn from 300 hours of footage. It is a brave and worthy effort, though at times it is difficult to understand what the participants are saying.

The critic praises the film as a fascinating, haunting, and tense study of ex-gang members intervening in violence in Chicago, highlighting the courage of the three main interrupters. They note it could benefit from broader context on systemic issues but succeeds in showcasing unglamorous heroism.

The critic praises the important subject of violence interruption in Chicago and the dynamic, charismatic central figures but faults the film's excessive 162-minute runtime for making it repetitive, aimless, and lacking momentum.