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The Providence Effect

Play trailer The Providence Effect PG 2009 1h 32m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
47% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Chicago private school Providence St. Mel is regarded as one of the most outstanding (and influential) educational institutions in the country, mostly because it has managed to send 100 percent of its graduates to college over the course of its 30-year history. Director Rollin Binzer takes a closer look at Providence St. Mel in this fascinating documentary, which explores the school's teaching methods, curriculum, disciplinary tactics and other basic hallmarks of educational excellence.

Critics Reviews

View All (15) Critics Reviews
Joseph Jon Lanthier Slant Magazine Rollin Binzer's tribute only underscores the mind-bogglingly hazardous crapshoot we take when entrusting our children to local classrooms anywhere in the U.S. Rated: 2/4 Feb 28, 2015 Full Review Peter Hartlaub San Francisco Chronicle The subjects seem to be guiding the director through the movie, which offers no objectivity and avoids obvious questions. It's among the best films in history within its genre, but that genre is infomercial. Rated: 2/4 Oct 16, 2009 Full Review Andrea Gronvall Chicago Reader This uplifting documentary breaks no new ground stylistically, but the story it tells is urgent and compelling. Oct 2, 2009 Full Review Kam Williams NewsBlaze A moving bio-pic about an unsung hero with a winning education formula which ought to be replicated in inner cities all across the country. Rated: 4/4 Feb 24, 2010 Full Review Fr. Chris Carpenter Movie Dearest Objective viewers may criticize the filmmakers' tendency to view their subject through rose-colored glasses. Still, the subject is fascinating. Rated: B+ Oct 2, 2009 Full Review Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru Marginally compelling and well-edited while deficient when it comes to insight and provocativeness. You'll find a lot of potatoes here, but not enough meat. Rated: 5.5/10 Sep 26, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1) audience reviews
Audience Member Thoughtful and optimistic documentary about a school in the Chicago area, 100% of whose graduates are accepted into college. I'm actually not sure I agree with all of their tactics and techniques, but it is refreshing to see not only a faculty this excited about teaching, but a student body this excited about learning from them. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Providence Effect

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Chicago private school Providence St. Mel is regarded as one of the most outstanding (and influential) educational institutions in the country, mostly because it has managed to send 100 percent of its graduates to college over the course of its 30-year history. Director Rollin Binzer takes a closer look at Providence St. Mel in this fascinating documentary, which explores the school's teaching methods, curriculum, disciplinary tactics and other basic hallmarks of educational excellence.
Director
Rollin Binzer
Producer
Tom Hurvis, Rollin Binzer
Rating
PG (Some Mild Thematic Elements)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Box Office (Gross USA)
$62.5K
Runtime
1h 32m
Sound Mix
Dolby