Butler's stirring film wasn't made to refute its slanders, though it does. It's a richly documented history of Kerry's war- time experience and of the Veterans Against the War movement.

Full Review | Mar 13, 2018

compelling story without fancy gimmicks and trickery

Full Review | Original Score: B | Aug 5, 2012

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 7, 2008

It's too bad that Kerry's likely to lose the upcoming election, because this type of hagiography would be far better in the unlikely event that Mr. "Wartime" President is going to be defeated.

Full Review | Original Score: C- | Jun 21, 2007

...even Kerry fans might be made wistful... Where has that young man gone? Whatever happened to him?

Full Review | Original Score: B | Jan 27, 2005

Going Upriver is lucky enough to have at its disposal a genuinely charismatic figure whose sense of his own citizenship is rigorous, questioning, and articulate.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Nov 2, 2004

It's only OK as a movie, but it's a fantastic political ad.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Oct 31, 2004

Butler's film may do little to change the outcome of the election, but anyone who questions Kerry's convictions should see Going Upriver before casting their vote.

Full Review | Oct 29, 2004

There's an innocence, a purity in intention ... that one rarely sees in a documentary.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 27, 2004

It's not angry or loud; it hopes that the truth spoken at a moderate level is stronger than lies trumpeted on national television.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 19, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Oct 19, 2004

"Going Upriver'' is a worthy film for the portrait it offers of one candidate and, more lastingly, for the portrait of a generation that emerges alongside it.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 19, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 19, 2004

This should be revelatory to most people -- but most people will probably never see Mr. Butler's film, and certainly none of those who consider George W. Bush as next to God.

Full Review | Oct 14, 2004

A serious, often very moving portrait of the effect the Vietnam War had on the nation and particularly those who served in it.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Oct 12, 2004

Butler's style is lot like Kerry's: analytic, deliberate, a bit plodding, but always with his eyes on the prize.

Full Review | Oct 11, 2004

One of the most moving things for me was seeing that some of the high-ranking politicians really did recognize that, hey, we need to meet with these young men and hear what they have to say and that footage is amazing stuff.

Full Review | Oct 11, 2004

We can only wish all candidates for such high office could match or even come close to the standards of qualification set by Kerry.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 11, 2004

[I]t will leave you with questions you'll be asking long after the November election.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 8, 2004

Brinkley has done his homework, and the evidence is on the screen.

Full Review | Oct 8, 2004