A fascinating, intimate record of AAP's rise that trades depth for access.
Verdict tier Recommended, most critics liked it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for An Insignificant Man is mostly positive, with scores ranging from 50 to 80. Critics most commonly praised the film's intimate, passionate documentation of Arvind Kejriwal's political rise and the birth of AAP, with several finding it fascinating and invaluable as a record of that period. The primary criticism was that the film's close access raises questions of journalistic impartiality, and some felt it offers only a surface-level glimpse into the party's workings rather than a deeper political insight.
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 6 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
From a tax officer to a protestor, to an activist, to a reluctant rookie politician, to winning an election, and to becoming the chief minister of New Delhi, the film is the journey of Arvind Kejriwal, and his AAP.
Film review ·
You may like him or hate him but you can't ignore Kejriwal, this 96-minute long political thriller tells you why.
Film review ·
This is a film that can bring up the question of how one can stay impartial when afforded this kind of intimate access over two years. But as a passionately told capsule of the birth and rise of a party, as an insight into party politics, while almost voyeuristic, An Insignificant Man is invaluable and fascinating nonetheless. The film stops in 2013, and the present position and future of AAP offers enough drama to be the stuff of a sequel.
Film review ·
Though many of us may believe the experiment has failed now, it was important to show how the experiment succeeded in the first place. And the movie does it beautifully. It can be safely said that the movie once again raises the hopes that AAP did four years ago.
Film review ·
An Insignificant Man is a peek into the working of politics and difficulties of bringing in honest measures to the system. But it does not hold the power to change your political beliefs or give a proper insight into the party and its working. It is only a sneak peek.
Film review ·
Overall, the film, though journalistically fuzzy, seems to be made with an idealistic passion.
From our readers
2 ratings · user score 7.0
I am giving in my political opinion here, since I can do this. It is a documetary about one of the most talked-about, joked-about and really well-loved for most part politician who entered from the back door ajd undeniably took the country by storm- this man, Aravind Kejariwal, with shirt not tucked into the oddly fitted trousers, a dusty pair of eye-glasses just of the right number. A common man's appearance he has. But that Gandhian-style topi that he wears- the one which has a broom printed over it- that has made all the talk, all the resonance. I don't really like his work. I don't really like his party, called 'Aam Aadmi Party' (translated as a Common Man's Party), or 'AAP'. It seems to reflect YOU, but for me, it signifies nothing. Now, see the pollution levels Delhi has, already! But as a document of the life of this ordinary, generic man- this not-so-extraordinary politician, this... this common man slog, the film 'An Insignificant Man' stands out as an extraordinary one. It raises questions, suppresses the answers when they want to rise and present themselves, pose another questions and yet again, leave no room for the answers. But the questions make you go for the film. The magic is in details- the answers needn't rise. The languid pace, the original texture and rationality in the common-ness delivers it all. It's readings make it a farirly done, engrossing and well-appointed story in these regressively tonal times. Finally, a bio-pic that doesn't bio-fuck. A superbly made, standout story of the man, whom, atleast I don't really appreciate. The dynamics of non-politics now appeal.
Credits
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