Critic Lays a Cynical Eye on D'Souza's 'Slick, Sprawling' 'America'

Dinesh D'Souza's latest film "America: Imagine the World Without Her," hasn't reached wide release yet, but reviewers are laying eyes on the movie.

It's "a slick, sprawling celebration of American exceptionalism," wrote Variety critic Joe Leydon.

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In Leydon's eyes, D'Souza works too aggressively to paint the United States in a favorable light, providing an "impassioned counterpoint" to the likes of radical historian Howard Zinn.

"To his credit, D’Souza gives screen time to a few interviewees — like Native American rights activist Charmaine White Face — who clearly aren’t buying what he’s selling," Leydon wrote. "For the most part, however, D’Souza gives the impression of someone obsessed with whitewashing any and all dark chapters in U.S. history books."

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 31: Conservative filmmaker and author Dinesh D'Souza speaks during the final day of the 2014 Republican Leadership Conference on May 31, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

While acknowledging the technical achievements and high production values of the film, Leydon characterizes "America" as a money-making vehicle aimed at "rigorously reinforcing the deeply held beliefs and darkest suspicions of its target audience."

He also noted that not all of that "target audience" will agree with everything D'Souza has to say.

"It will be interesting to see how some viewers react to D’Souza’s repeated (and approving) depiction of the Civil War as a noble battle waged by Abraham Lincoln and his Union Army solely to end slavery in the United States," Leydon added. "Quite a few far-right, states-rights zealots might beg to differ with that view of American history."

"America" will hit theaters during the July 4 weekend.

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