Equal parts colorful character study and real-world procedural, docu by Daniel Kraus retains interest throughout, even if it delivers just partial insight into the man, job and milieu.
70
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
But without taking anything away from Frederick Wiseman, who remains a master, Sheriff is almost as good any documentary he's made.
63
New York PostRussell Scott Smith
New York PostRussell Scott Smith
An admirably realistic portrait of police life.
60
Film ThreatMerle Bertrand
Film ThreatMerle Bertrand
A stripped-down, small town "COPS" without the flashy editing and hip-hop soundtrack.
Sheriff may have a point to make about the impact of family, roots and religion on the changing face of rural America, but the film, while admirably restrained and competently made, is too polite to clarify that.
There's no downside to a reminder that not every beefy, God-talking sheriff is a bigoted cracker, and Kraus' short, no-frills documentary is a model of fly-on-the-wall filmmaking.
50
Village Voice
Village Voice
There's so little meat to his likable subject that the endeavor proves less "Cops" and more "The Andy Griffith Show."
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Some of the material is dramatic, other bits are dull.