• Citizen Jane: Battle for the City (2017)

    Arguably no one did more to shape understanding of the modern American city than Jane Jacobs, the visionary activist and author of "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" who fought to preserve urban communities in the face of destructive development projects. Here, she fights against the ruthless redevelopment projects of urban planner Robert Moses.

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Citizen Jane: Battle for the City
70
metacriticBased on 13 Critics

Release Date: April 21st, 2017

Not Yet Rated |1 hr 32 min

Plot Summary

Arguably no one did more to shape understanding of the modern American city than Jane Jacobs, the visionary activist and author of "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" who fought to preserve urban communities in the face of destructive development projects. Here, she fights against the ruthless redevelopment projects of urban planner Robert Moses.

Cast: Thomas Campanella, Vincent D'Onofrio, Marisa Tomei, Mindy Fullilove, Michael Sorkin, Mary Rowe, Paul Goldberger, Alexander Garvin

Director: Matt Tyrnauer

Genres: Documentary

Production Co: Altimeter Films

Keywords: Quest, 1960s, Engaging, Brooding, Rivalry, Fall, Transformation, Escape, New York City

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 88
    The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

    As a history of this war of ideas and as an introduction to Jacobs, the film is essential. But it also pivots toward a great challenge: today’s global urbanization. show more

  • 80
    Bob MondelloNPR

    Jacobs argued that what looks to officialdom like disorder is actually what makes a crowded human landscape function — it's just a more complex order. This compelling documentary lets you see the beauty she found in that complexity. show more

  • 50
    Joe MorgensternWall Street Journal

    Unfortunately, the climax comes with more than a half hour to go, and the film, losing its focus on Jane Jacobs, turns its attention to the urban-renewal plague that devastated cities across America. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com