Confessions of a Good Samaritan

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Confessions of a Good Samaritan

Released Jun 28

1h 45m

Documentary

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22 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Director Penny Lane's decision to become a "good Samaritan" by giving one of her kidneys to a stranger turns into a funny and moving personal quest to understand the nature of altruism. Confessions of a Good Samaritan is a provocative inquiry into the science, history, and ethics of organ transplantation, asking an ancient question in a whole new way: Who is your neighbor, and what do you owe them?

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Alissa Simon

Variety

The low-budget production benefits from an articulate and charismatic lineup of expert interviewees, fascinating archival footage and some welcome humor.

Jul 17, 2024

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

“Confessions” is as much about the mysteries of our human impulses as it is about elective surgery and the roots of altruism.

Jul 15, 2024

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Natalia Winkelman

New York Times

But what begins as an optimistic piece of advocacy eventually veers into something more complex, ambivalent and even frantic.

Jul 1, 2024

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Lael Loewenstein

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

A fascinating window into that whole world and highlights the need for organ donation.

Jul 13, 2024

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Christopher Campbell

Nonfics

The documentary isn’t necessarily about Lane giving away a kidney...her honesty and candidness through it all are as admirable as the deed itself.

Jun 29, 2024

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

The ace documentarian, who told the stories of Satanists and Kenny G, turns the camera on herself and her intriguing quest to donate a kidney.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 27, 2024

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Axton B

Lane’s struggle with her motivations comes across as performative, as if she’s trying to prove she’s a good person while wrestling with deep insecurities and a need for validation. Her use of Christ-like imagery and the title itself sets up a savior complex that she claims to reject, but her actions throughout the documentary suggest otherwise. The film’s strongest elements, like its technical execution and Lane’s natural charisma, are overshadowed by a lack of genuine self-awareness. She touches on moments of vulnerability only to quickly retreat, making it hard for the audience to connect with her journey on a deeper level. What could have been a thoughtful exploration of privilege, altruism, and the complexity of personal motivation ends up feeling flat and somewhat disingenuous.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/21/24

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Penny Lane

Director

Penny Lane

Self

Gabriel Sedgwick

Producer

Greg Boustead

Executive Producer

Jessica Harrop

Executive Producer

Tim Lee

Executive Producer

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Synopsis

Director Penny Lane's decision to become a "good Samaritan" by giving one of her kidneys to a stranger turns into a funny and moving personal quest to understand the nature of altruism. Confessions of a Good Samaritan is a provocative inquiry into the science, history, and ethics of organ transplantation, asking an ancient question in a whole new way: Who is your neighbor, and what do you owe them?

Director: Penny Lane
Producer: Gabriel Sedgwick
Distributor: Sandbox Films
Production Co: Sandbox Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 28, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 45m

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