Even those who might not understand the enigmatic figure at first will be fascinated, but for those who appreciated his daring, a deeply rewarding portrait awaits.

| Nov 1, 2018

Burden pays homage to an unusual artist and his unusual art that is both willing to be critical and analytical of its subject.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 31, 2018

In this compelling portrait, filmmakers Richard Dewey and Timothy Marrinan delve deep into the artist's past for a glimpse into the eclectic and eccentric life of Chris Burden.

| Aug 6, 2018

... the film is at its best as it begins to explore the direction in which he travelled.

| Sep 15, 2017

Even those who dismiss Burden's art can still admire this straightforward documentary that chronicles his life and career

| Jun 2, 2017

Burden does a sterling job.

| May 22, 2017

Burden may be light on art history, but it does suggest the transformation of the artist's work from the body confined to the spirit released and taking flight.

| May 12, 2017

"Burden" is brilliantly informative and so utterly engrossing.

| May 11, 2017

Was he brilliant, or crazy, or maybe some of both? One thing is certain from watching "Burden" --- he was definitely not cut from the same cloth as most people.

| May 11, 2017

The filmmakers are concerned more with career trajectory than personal history, and though they don't sugarcoat the bouts of troubling behavior, their affection for Burden is evident.

| May 11, 2017

This engrossing documentary profile of Los Angeles artist Chris Burden, who died in 2015, focuses mainly on his notorious performance pieces.

| May 11, 2017

An epic, often funny testament to creative fearlessness.

| Original Score: 5/5 | May 10, 2017

'Burden' gave me my first exposure to Chris Burden's artistic accomplishments. While shocked by some of his disturbing early work, I am now a fan of his incredible art installations.

| May 9, 2017

[An] informative biographical piece.

| Original Score: 3/5 | May 8, 2017

This inquisitive, textured documentary pairs his drug-addled youth with the most controversial era of his career but wisely avoids hagiography by refusing to make value judgments regarding his best work.

| Original Score: 3/5 | May 7, 2017

The Seventies footage is electrifying. But what makes this documentary special is that it doesn't put its subject on a pedestal.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 5, 2017

It is a little reticent about his private life - but a persuasive, stimulating work.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 5, 2017

Careful not to deify the man, Marrinan and Dewey balance their clear love of their subject with a sobriety that elevates it beyond the usual artist-doc hagiography.

| May 5, 2017

The performance artist, sculptor and Seventies counter-cultural figure Chris Burden is the subject of this fascinating documentary that manages, somehow, to create a sympathetic portrait of an often (on this evidence anyway) unsympathetic artist.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 5, 2017

The film manages to strike a good balance between hero-worship and honest criticism without ever sounding disingenuous.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 5, 2017