Review for ‘‘The Critic’’ by Kyle Gregory

Kyle Gregory's meditation on art, criticism both from within the entertainment industry and one's own family, and the creator's psyche takes the form of lushly produced, rich sensory experience The Critic.

Plot-wise, The Critic takes a simple concept, a dancer's reality and sense of self-worth unraveling as a result of a final rejection in an audition, and uses it as a springboard to talk about a plethora of issues and experiences that blacken the lives of many, if not all, artists. The film highlights the impossibly high standards to which we hold ourselves, the unrelenting pressure to achieve critical acclaim before an arbitrary age, the lack of understanding and support even within one's own family, as well as the self-destructive drive to perfection. The protagonist's inner conflict is eerily beautifully conveyed by Michael Alli's acting, and the rest of the cast follows suit. 

The Critic's themes are carried through deft esthetic choices and visual symbolism, from repeating appearances of specific items to subtle visual distortions and emotionally color-coded scenes of introspection. Makeup and costume design is of the highest level as well, adding much to the central conflict as it veers even as far as body horror. The soundtrack is superb, both in dance scenes and when framing the more sinister moments of the film.

In the end, Gregory's project is not only an excellently produced audiovisual feast and heartfelt exploration of the artist's imperiled sense of self worth, but also an important warning to always prioritize mental health the the creation of a supportive environment, lest we be consumed by dark thoughts and baseless negativity. Exciting and promising on the part of writer-director-producer Kyle Gregory, whose work we hope to see often in the future.