73
Metascore
12 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100The Hollywood ReporterJustin LoweThe Hollywood ReporterJustin LoweAs Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana’s astoundingly rich and resonant music documentary makes abundantly clear, American popular music – and the history of rock and roll itself – wouldn’t be the same without the contributions of Native American performers.
- 83Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerChristian Science MonitorPeter RainerWhat is strikingly brought home in “Rumble” is how the vast stew of influences in American music, rather than diluting everything, makes the music all the more powerful.
- 80The New York TimesKen JaworowskiThe New York TimesKen JaworowskiIf you couldn’t name two Native American musicians at the beginning of the documentary, you’ll remember at least a half-dozen after the end. And it’s a good bet you’ll be searching for their albums, too.
- 75RogerEbert.comGlenn KennyRogerEbert.comGlenn KennyThe movie goes down byways you might not have expected: Taboo from Black Eyed Peas makes an appearance, and heavy metal shows up via both guitarist Steve Salas (one of the movie’s executive producers) and drummer Randy Castillo, who played with Ozzy. Their stories are among the movie’s most moving.
- 75The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Brad WheelerThe Globe and Mail (Toronto)Brad WheelerThis film is about giving credit where previously neglected credit is due. “You wouldn’t let us talk about it before,” Robertson says at the end of the doc. “But now I’m going to talk about it real loud.” No volume is too much at this point.
- 75Washington PostMichael O'SullivanWashington PostMichael O'SullivanAbout a musical genre not known for quiet contemplation, “Rumble” asks us to be still for a moment and to listen to the heartbeat — at once familiar and newly strange — that pumps the lifeblood that flows through the songs this country is known for.
- 70Screen DailyAllan HunterScreen DailyAllan HunterThe whole film is a lively lesson in music history that should stimulate renewed interest in Native American artists and convince other documentary filmmakers that there is still much more to explore
- 70VarietyJoe LeydonVarietyJoe LeydonAlthough its reach occasionally exceeds its grasp, Catherine Bainbridge’s Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World earns respect as much for its achievement as its ambition.
- 63Slant MagazineChuck BowenSlant MagazineChuck BowenThis is history that Americans should know, and the filmmaker approach Rumble as an introductory survey course.
- 60Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlVillage VoiceAlan ScherstuhlWhile overstuffed and scattershot, this episodic documentary makes a vital argument: That American popular music, especially the blues and rock ’n’ roll, owe much more to Native Americans than has been commonly credited.