| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 30, 2006

What's so extraordinary about this Oscar-nominated work is that it shows us that conflict through the eyes of seven bright, funny, thoughtful kids, ages 9 to 13, on both sides.

| Original Score: A | Aug 22, 2002

Beautifully crafted and brutally honest, Promises offers an unexpected window into the complexities of prejudice.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Jul 20, 2002

Every individual will see the movie through the prism of his or her own beliefs and prejudices, but the one thing most will take away is the sense that peace is possible. That, in itself, is extraordinary.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Jun 14, 2002

It's sobering, particularly if anyone still thinks this conflict can be resolved easily, or soon.

| Original Score: 3/4 | May 17, 2002

A diverse and astonishingly articulate cast of Palestinian and Israeli children.

| Apr 5, 2002

Unexpected, and often contradictory, truths emerge.

Full Review | Apr 5, 2002

Takes a simple idea and just about breaks your heart with it.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 22, 2002

For one moment, the patience of documentarians nurtured understanding among strangers accustomed to being enemies -- for which a prize is surely in order.

| Original Score: A- | Mar 21, 2002

At times an almost unbearably moving portrait of innocence lost and how ideologies easily infect young minds.

Full Review | Mar 18, 2002

If you like peace, you'll like Promises.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 15, 2002

Beautifully crafted and brutally honest, Promises offers an unexpected window into the complexities of the Middle East struggle and into the humanity of its people.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Mar 15, 2002

Keeps its word.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 15, 2002

Demonstrates the unusual power of thoughtful, subjective filmmaking.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 14, 2002

I wonder what the reaction of Israelis will be to this supposedly evenhanded presentation.

| Mar 14, 2002

Many insightful moments.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 14, 2002

An earnest, roughshod document, it serves as a workable primer for the region's recent history, and would make a terrific 10th-grade learning tool.

Full Review | Mar 12, 2002