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Quest

Play trailer 2:16 Poster for Quest Released Dec 1, 2017 1h 45m Documentary Music Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
98% Tomatometer 61 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Filmed over the course of eight years, filmmaker Jonathan Olshefski chronicles the daily struggles and successes of the Raineys, an African-American family living in Philadelphia.

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Quest

Quest

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Critics Consensus

Simultaneously sweeping and intimate, Quest uses one family's experiences to offer thoughtful, wide-ranging observations about modern American life.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Tthe family members - Quest; his rock-solid wife, Christine'a; and their teenage daughter P.J., who gains in character and complexity as she grows up before our eyes-are too individualized to represent anything but their own determination and decency. Apr 16, 2020 Full Review Bilge Ebiri Spirituality & Health The filmmakers are content to allow us to spend time with these people; they recognize the power of connection and compassion. Mar 23, 2020 Full Review Jonathan Romney Film Comment Magazine Ordinariness-and [Jonathan] Olshefski's ordinary, level-headed approach to documenting their life-is the keynote of this intensely moving and involving film. Mar 8, 2018 Full Review Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine ...it’s honest and real, and viewers are trusted to respect the limitations and perspectives of the protagonists rather than being urged to suddenly turn on them... Jan 12, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Filmed over the course of approximately a decade, this powerful and poignant picture moves well beyond its original niche. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 21, 2019 Full Review Phil Guie Film-Forward.com Moments like these speak to people's basic humanity and, combined with the Rainey clan's refusal to suffer defeat, give us reason to be optimistic. Rated: 5/5 Mar 21, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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richard i Nothing much wrong with this peaceful tracking of an impoverished family, though the story of how someone came to choose them and then followed them around for literally years with their consent is probably a more interesting one than this umpteenth reportage on 'our problem society', which is basically pornography for social workers (though it's true that I have never been party to a teenager losing her eye before, so however voyeuristic it may be, there will be some long-term value to this piece for future researchers of the early twenty-first century) Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Tim G Raw and real, depressing at some turns given the family's challenges (some like random violence that only exist because of where they live) but powerful and uplifting at most others because of the strength of the family bonds and their surrounding community. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/07/18 Full Review Audience Member Heartbreaking look at a family's experiences during the Obama administration. At first they're excited but over time we see them fall prey to gun violence and realize that the hope and change they were promised was nothing but a lie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Quiet, but profound. The characters and story captured in this documentary film are just as deep and moving as any screenwriter could dream up. Probably more so. Enlightening for anyone, regardless of political persuasion, because it simply shows how real family and community are actually affected by the many issues we debate in our public discourse. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Beautiful film that shows an amazing family's story through difficult and everyday situations. I thought about their story long after I left the theater. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review dave d It's an interesting documentary on the family inner city minority dynamic, but there are gaps that drag it a bit. You can't help but root for these guys. Final Score: 7.9/10 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Quest

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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmed over the course of eight years, filmmaker Jonathan Olshefski chronicles the daily struggles and successes of the Raineys, an African-American family living in Philadelphia.
Director
Jonathan Olshefski
Producer
Sabrina Schmidt Gordon
Distributor
First Run Features
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 1, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 8, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$26.8K
Runtime
1h 45m
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