[an] engaging documentary; it's a desperately sad tale, but told lovingly and engagingly for a real insight worth having; A skilful, affecting documentary that gifts more than a conventional artist profile
James Erskine's insightful but structurally frustrating documentary illuminates a troubled soul; It may end on a bit of an uncertain note, but there's plenty of soul-stirring along the way
for Erskine, Kuehl's mountain of cassettes is like a time capsule, allowing him to tell Holiday's story through the mostly dead voices of those who knew her best
an additional angle probing the death of journo Linda Lipnack Kuehl - who recorded interviews in the film during the Sixties - adds little to this fascinating if disconcerting watch
a truer, historical spin on the great Billie Holiday; The film leaves us with the untied plot-strand of Kuehl's life, but with a great deal of valuable material about Holiday herself
a transfixing documentary about the master jazz singer; "Billie" passes the test for any doomed-singer documentary: There's a creditable emphasis on the gift, not just the grubbiness
by Emma Simmonds [The List Film (UK) ]
