100
Philadelphia Inquirer by Carrie Rickey
The film's climax involves a father and son reunion that is tense, tragic and, finally, as transcendent as Mohammad himself.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
70
The New York Times by Dana Stevens
Leans a bit too much toward the lachrymose and has a wrong-note final image.
88
New York Daily News by Jami Bernard
Another perfect little gem from Iran in which the simplest story unleashes a torrent of emotion.
80
Dallas Observer by Jean Oppenheimer
A beautiful film from Iran explores beauty both physical and spiritual.
75
New York Post by Jonathan Foreman
Doesn't have the emotional heft of his "Children of Paradise," but it's still moving.
70
The surprisingly tragic climax may make it rough going for kids too young to grasp the film's comforting message.
70
Los Angeles Times by Kevin Thomas
As worthy and moving as The Color of Paradise is, it is not entirely free of the manipulative, the arbitrary and the downright punitive.
100
Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum
While never slow, the film feels quiet and spacious, like a prayer.
88
Chicago Tribune by Michael Wilmington
The simplicity and idealism of The Color of Paradise are part of what makes it so attractive to near-jaded palates here. There are no evil characters in the film.
88
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
A family film that shames the facile commercialism of a product like "Pokemon" and its value system based on power and greed.It is made with delicacy and beauty.