Lensed in black-and-white, the 77-minute film is plenty arty and only arguably constructive in its tasteful fictionalization of a violent tragedy.
– Rob Nelson,
Variety,
1 Sep 2009
fresh:
The tragic art of Polytechnique isn't what it shows or reveals but rather the contemplation it inspires. There are moments in life when nothing makes sense and sadness descends; this is one of them.
– Peter Howell,
Toronto Star,
7 Jul 2010
fresh:
Polytechnique smartly exposes the spectrum of misogyny without overplaying the connection between the two incidents. Which makes the concluding flash-forward scene all the more disappointing.
– Melissa Anderson,
Village Voice,
28 Jun 2011
fresh:
The virtue - and also the limitation - of this movie is that it confronts senselessness and insists on remaining calm and sane.
– A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
28 Jun 2011
fresh:
Nicely anticipates Villeneuve's 2010 masterpiece, Incendies, another story of forgiveness in a cruel, cold world.