In addition to being a commentary on hope, Rosewater joins other films on journalism that illustrate the sacrifices made by professional journalists in search of the truth.

| Aug 12, 2021

Stewart has consistently demonstrated there is nothing genuinely non-conformist or oppositional about him.

| Feb 26, 2021

The movie is very straightforward but does bring sincerity and emotion to the film but the over-all "never give up" message seems trite given the backdrop of the story.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 2, 2021

The interrogations become repetitive: it is hard to maintain suspense when the outcome is known and the end comes abruptly.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 3, 2019

A film so eager to please that it forsakes political grey areas for sentimentality.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 5, 2019

[Jon] Stewart has made a confident entree onto the directing scene that demands to be noticed.

| Original Score: B+ | Feb 4, 2019

In typical (Jon) Stewart fashion ROSEWATER turns controversial political events into boisterous humor.

| Original Score: B- | Dec 8, 2018

The overriding message of the film is the need for free press--a somewhat academic end to a very human experience. That, combined with the obvious lack of suspense, make for an interesting, if lukewarm, film.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Nov 2, 2018

Stewart seems to be declaring on every frame of Rosewater, but his knack for dealing with dry subject matter in all kinds of hilarious ways would have worked wonders. It's almost cruel how he turns the film into such a humorless bore.

| Aug 22, 2018

Stewart's comic genius fails to translate into film excellence in his first attempt as a writer and director.

| Jan 12, 2018

On the whole Rosewater is an auspicious debut, but I suspect it has taught Stewart that when it comes to movies, as opposed to journalism, a little blatant emotional manipulation is no bad thing.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 20, 2017

Competently crafted but seldom more than that, Rosewater shows that Stewart could probably make a living as a filmmaker if he so chose. But for now, I hope he keeps his daily-sorry, his day job.

| Oct 18, 2017

Credit Rosewater for troubling itself over just what makes the axis, evil or otherwise, spin.

| Oct 10, 2017

The rest of the film is...kinda all over the place.

| Original Score: D+ | Sep 1, 2017

Rosewater, scripted and directed by Jon Stewart, is a work of skill as well as passion

| Aug 8, 2017

When it ventures into the more abstract territory of its tortured protagonist's mind, the film is able to show how comedians can be unlikely heroes for serious causes, and how humour and imagination can survive the worst totalitarian attacks.

| Jul 19, 2017

If anyone questioned that a late-night host of a fake news show could make a compelling political drama, viewing Rosewater should put those doubts to rest.

| Jun 23, 2017

The story is good, and Stewart lays it out engagingly, with a sharp eye for pacing and a light touch on the diplomatic complexities involved.

| Apr 26, 2017

There's plenty in Rosewater to make you hope that Stewart finds another reason to get out from behind his desk again.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 12, 2016

[Rosewater features] fine playing from Bernal and Bodnia, and striking mixing of real and recreated footage of the riots that transpired after the rigged election.

| Aug 10, 2016