Jimmy Carter Man From Plains (2007)

79% of critics liked it
(84 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(901 ratings)

Participant Productions, the same studio that heralded An Inconvenient Truth into theaters returns with an insider's look into former president Jimmy Carter's book tour as seen through the eyes of director Jonathan Demme. Using an experimental approach, the camera follows the promotional tour and… More Participant Productions, the same studio that heralded An Inconvenient Truth into theaters returns with an insider's look into former president Jimmy Carter's book tour as seen through the eyes of director Jonathan Demme. Using an experimental approach, the camera follows the promotional tour and subsequent reaction to the ex-head of state's controversial tome Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, which theorizes a Middle East peace solution and how Israel's staunch stance has negatively effected the region. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By: Jonathan Demme
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Oct 26, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Mar 28, 2008
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Demme says he entered the project expecting 'fireworks,' and he gets them time and again...
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It won't utterly rewrite Carter's history, and it won't convert anybody in this divided country, but Man from Plains will remind us that principle, humility and intelligence have a place in image-is-everything American politics.
Bob Longino, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Moviegoers might initially find the inside peek into a media book tour fascinating. But the tedium of trekking from hotel to car to interview and back to a waiting limo can wear down one's resolve.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
From the open-air stroll he took down Pennsylvania Ave. on his inauguration day, to the sunny-coloured cardigans he wore when addressing the nation, president James T. Carter always seemed like a guy who wanted people to remember he was one of them.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Regardless of your feelings about Carter's presidency or his 21st century views, you have to be amazed and impressed by his energy and his spirit and his commitment to the world.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
An intriguing document of a man's public and private life and has yet further value as the first significant film ever made about a former U.S. president.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
It's clear from the very beginning that Demme admires Carter. But the filmmaker's skepticism for authority manages to pop out occasionally.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Follows the former President in heartfelt contemplation
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Jimmy Carter Man From Plains is a genuinely inspiring, well-made documentary that is well worth seeking out.
Derek Malcolm, This is London
This is a man it is impossible not to like, even if you think he was a weakish one-term commander-in-chief. At least he was not Nixon or Bush Jr.
Anthony Quinn, Independent
A heartening example of a reputation deservedly rehabilitated.
Martin Hoyle, Financial Times
Not ground-breaking cinema, but a reminder that Christians can be tolerant and politicians principled.
Sam Wigley, Total Film
Jimmy Carter may not be the most memorable ex-White House resident, but his post-presidency record as a battler for humanitarian causes takes some beating.
Rob Daniel, Sky Movies
Carter is more energetic than Demme's film that fires on all cylinders only when Carter calmly but persuasively faces down his critics or recounts his time as the most powerful man on Earth.
David Gritten, Daily Telegraph
Essentially a soap opera.
Mike McCahill, Daily Telegraph
Only belatedly, with the arrival of Alan Dershowitz, does Demme happen across anybody who might disrupt the air of non-confrontational niceness, but Carter ducks the challenge, and the film heads ever onwards into hagiography. A disappointment.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Demme's fascinating documentary shows Carter on a US tour to promote the book. Perhaps Carter - and Demme himself - imagined this would be as trouble-free as Al Gore promoting environmentalism.
Wendy Ide, Times [UK]
Jimmy Carter Man from Plains is an affectionate and admiring portrait of a politician who, like Al Gore, became more idealistic and effective on the world stage once he left office.
Richard Luck, Film4
A great, misunderstood man forms the basis of a fine, easily misinterpreted documentary.
Tom Huddlestone, Time Out
Demme is clearly a Carter enthusiast, and his film paints a vivid, involving picture of an informed and passionate man whose impact is still being felt worldwide.

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Jonathan Demme's excellent documentary of Jimmy Carter's struggle to balance on the razor's edge between equal advocacy for both Palestinian liberation and for Israel's right to a peaceful existence. In addition to being "accused of being a liar, bigot, and… More
Jonathan Demme's excellent documentary of Jimmy Carter's struggle to balance on the razor's edge between equal advocacy for both Palestinian liberation and for Israel's right to a peaceful existence. In addition to being "accused of being a liar, bigot, and anti-Semite" -- as if that wasn't enough of a challenge -- he's also accused of being a plagiarist with <i>Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, </i> his book that generated all this controversy two years ago. An incredible story about an incredible man.
Mister C

The best documentary I've seen in ages from one of the most brillant,humane,and principled men ever to occupy the oval office of the United States Presidency.
William D

[size=3]I thought I was going to be enraptured by "Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains," the new documentary from legendary filmmaker [b]Jonathan Demme[/b]. But I wasn't. It's not a bad film, but it's not that engaging.[/size] [size=3]Given the subject matter,… More
[size=3]I thought I was going to be enraptured by "Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains," the new documentary from legendary filmmaker [b]Jonathan Demme[/b]. But I wasn't. It's not a bad film, but it's not that engaging.[/size] [size=3]Given the subject matter, Carter's highly controversial book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid," it should have been riveting. Instead it was placid and barely turned its gaze to Middle Eastern issues. It doesn't seem that Demme has any serious interest in the Middle East. Carter is shown having many hard-hitting discussions with Middle East experts who took issue with his use of the word "apartheid." But every time such a conversation gets started, Demme cuts away to long, quiet shots of Carter walking through airports or riding in a rented SUV as he and a publicist ride to the next stop on the book tour. [/size] [size=3]The publicist appears not to have any interest in the content of the book. All that's on her mind is getting to the next destination on time. So why film her so much? Are the mechanics of a book tour interesting? I certainly don't think so.[/size] [size=3]The title of the film and its overall marketing strategy are misleading. They give the impression that the film is a general introduction to Mr. Carter and his work. It really is just a film about the Palestine book. Rosalynn Carter is barely in the film, and almost no one is interviewed. It's overwhelmingly just footage of Carter on the book tour. There is some video from his work with Habitat for Humanity and some old footage from the Peace Accord between Egypt and Israel, but not much.[/size] [size=3]As far as I know, there has been no major documentary about Carter made as of yet. Given that he is one of the few true thinkers of our epoch, you'd think we'd have one by now. If you're looking for such a thing, you won't get it here.[/size]
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]Directed by Jonathan Demme, "Jimmy Carter Man from Plains" is a mostly verite(there is also some archival material included) and overlong documentary about Jimmy Carter on a recent acrimonious book tour promoting his book "Palestine Peace not… More
[font=Century Gothic]Directed by Jonathan Demme, "Jimmy Carter Man from Plains" is a mostly verite(there is also some archival material included) and overlong documentary about Jimmy Carter on a recent acrimonious book tour promoting his book "Palestine Peace not Apartheid."(It should be noted that he is not the only person to make this same connection. For example, Naomi Klein does in her book "The Shock Doctrine" on page 559.) Carter intended to provoke discussion by using the loaded word of Apartheid but instead started a prolonged shouting match between two antagonistic sides, providing more insight into the rest of us than its intended subject who comes off as a genuine man of peace and voice for the Palestinian people. While denouncing violence from both Israel and Palestine, Carter saves most of his ire for the security wall that cuts into the occupied West Bank. Detractors including Alan Dershowitz get their say and Tavis Smiley of PBS provides the best analysis of Carter who also helps to build homes for Habitat for Humanity. Plus, he is in better shape than I am! [/font]
William G

Jimmy doesn't crack corn once in the entire film, but you could've fooled me.
Audrey L

A very informative and touching documentary about one of the finest statesmen and humanitarians in history-Jimmy Carter. I'm going to buy that controversial book of his and read it-unlike some of his strongest critics...