Beautiful Something Left Behind

Slant Magazine by Dan Rubins

Katrine Philp’s documentary boldly argues for a clear-eyed frankness in talking to bereaved children about loss.

The New York Times by Glenn Kenny

It could be argued that the film needed a little more documentary-style explanation about how the facility works — how long children stay, the goals of the treatment, and so on. But ultimately, Philp can’t be blamed for stressing emotional engagement over exposition.

Film Threat by Hanna B.

In the end, there is no denying An Elephant in the Room is a very earnest project and it is the kind of documentary that has a subject so strong and primordial to its existence that “appearances and effects” might bear little consequences to its overall appreciation.

The Hollywood Reporter by John DeFore

The film exudes empathy, as you'd expect, but struggles to find a compelling point of view.

Austin Chronicle by Marc Savlov

Through it all Philps keeps her camera low the better to represent the children’s as-yet-unformed POV, both literally and emotionally

Los Angeles Times by Michael Ordona

Beautiful Something Left Behind, which won the documentary award at last year’s South by Southwest Film Festival when the film was called “An Elephant in the Room,” serves as a snapshot of kids in emotional crises, but sadly, little more.