Critic Reviews
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69
Metascore
Generally Favorable
positive
10(67%)
mixed
3(20%)
negative
2(13%)
Showing 15 Critic Reviews
Jun 16, 2015
100
The film is certainly a virtuous, star-studded message movie. It's also a docudrama, with all the attendant questions about the fictionalization of facts. But it transcends that by being complicated, intelligent and vibrant. Without a trace of sentimentality, it is very moving. [8 Sept 1993, p.49]
Jun 17, 2015
100
Both an engrossing medical whatdunit and a modern American tragedy...It hurtles forward with the urgency of a murder mystery and ends with the suddenness of a nightmare.
Jun 17, 2015
90
Swift pacing energizes the movie, and Schulman writes compelling scenes for the large cast. Many actors, who have only one scene to make an impression, meet the challenge splendidly. [11 Sept 1993, p.G1]
Jun 18, 2015
90
Hip deep in all the chicken droppings about the movie, you would hardly know that it's a damn good movie. [9 Sept 1993, p.109]
Jun 17, 2015
80
It's an ambitious and engrossing combination of mystery story and medical drama - and a powerful reminder that docudramas can be more than true-crime sleaze. [11 Sept 1993, p.1E]
Jun 18, 2015
80
Even a hobbled rendering of And the Band Plays On adds up to tough and uncommonly courageous television. Excessive tinkering has left the pacing of the film sluggish in spots, but the story is never less than compelling.
Jun 18, 2015
75
Suffers from excessive ambition, but only through the best of intentions. [10 Sept 1993, p.E-1]
Jun 17, 2015
70
A fine film but one lacking an emotional punch commensurate with its subject. [10 Sept 1993, p.N-1]
