The Other F Word (2011)

Critic Reviews

• Joe Heim, Washington Post

  There are delicious contrasts between the musicians in full-on punk-rock mode and in full-on dad mode.

• Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

  Blink-182's Mark Hoppus has an especially good line about the all-consuming nature of being a pop: "It's like red matter from Star Trek. It just sucks everything in."

• Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

  These cute little domestic interludes give The Other F Word a light humor and large awwwww factor that's unavoidable, understandable and entirely un-punk.

• Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

  For the most part the film is an interesting, and occasionally fascinating, look at getting older and taking on responsibility.

• Mark Feeney, Boston Globe

  Lindberg's throwaway self-description of himself as getting by during a tour "on Ambien and hair dye'' may be the best line in a movie full of good ones.

• John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter

  Despite a few genuinely poignant moments (try not to be moved as Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea talks of righting his parents' wrongs) and a bit of humor, F Word feels shallow and a little stale.

• Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures

  If you ever listened to punk rock from the 80s or 90s and thought how hard it's going to be for these guys to deal with their own kids, this documentary reveals that truth.

• John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

  The film's subjects may consider themselves non-conformists, but the movie's style -- the use of colorful graphics, fast-forwards, jump cuts and other computer-editing tricks -- is the epitome of mainstream.

• Cynthia Fuchs, PopMatters

  As punk rock dads recall their own difficult childhoods, their absent fathers and abusive stepfathers, they assert their determination to "be there" for their own kids.

• Kelly Vance, East Bay Express

  People grow up sometimes, more or less - even punk rockers.

• Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt

  We do get to see Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers cry, though. That gets some bonus points in my book.

• Matt Singer, IFC.com

  Not just a fluffy portrait of dudes with tattoos and their cute kids

• Gerald Peary, Boston Phoenix

  This charming, amusing documentary has its sad side too...

• David Noh, Film Journal International

  Tired conformists or still staunch rebels, whatever you may think of these punk rockers turned parents, this lively, affecting documentary is a highly worthwhile, often hilarious investigation into the ultimate contradiction.

• Christopher Campbell, Movies.com

  The most endearing and potentially tearjerking documentary about punks you'll ever see.

• Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews

  ...the visual contrasts, like Rancid's Lars Frederickson, he of the tattooed face and leopard-spotted head, pushing a child on a swing, are chuckle inducing.

• Jennifer Merin, About.com

  The other F word is "Father" or "Fatherhood." Now, what were you thinking?

Read all 17 critic reviews