80
Metascore
19 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Boston GlobeTy BurrBoston GlobeTy BurrIt's an account of what helplessness does to a man whose philosophy of life has been founded on decisive action.
- 100Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittWrenching on both personal and political levels.
- 80Chicago ReaderReece PendletonChicago ReaderReece PendletonThis is a deeply engaging portrait of a remarkable man and a brutally frank indictment of the West's moral cowardice in the face of a tragedy it could have prevented.
- 80VarietyScott FoundasVarietyScott FoundasThe overall effect makes for a far more resonant film than that offered by concurrent narrative feature "Hotel Rwanada."
- 80Village VoiceJoshua LandVillage VoiceJoshua LandIts title an acknowledgment of the reality of evil, Shake Hands With the Devil touches on the unanswerable hows and whys, but its ultimate subject is the terrible burden of command.
- 80TV Guide MagazineKen FoxTV Guide MagazineKen FoxThe complete absence of world leaders is a bewildering sign that the world still doesn't care much about small African countries with no exploitable resources to speak of, and a troubling indication that such atrocities can, and no doubt will, happen again.
- 75New York PostLou LumenickNew York PostLou LumenickThe filmmakers follow this compassionate and articulate man as he returns to Rwanda a decade later to revisit his demons.
- 75New York Daily NewsJack MathewsNew York Daily NewsJack MathewsOther than a tortured apology from Bill Clinton for having misunderstood the gravity of the situation, there isn't a peep of remorse heard from the normally sanctimonious West. And Dellaire's final bit of self-abuse is to blame himself for his failure to shame the world to action.
- 70The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenA respectful portrait of General Dallaire, now retired, who comes across as a thoughtful, resolute but profoundly shaken man, more philosopher than warrior.
- 60Film ThreatFilm ThreatDallaire's tragic story is a fascinating chapter in a sad history.