House of Criticism
An intimate, sharply observed portrait of legendary art critics Roberta Smith and Jerry Saltz—HOUSE OF CRITICISM tells the story of the two defining voices of the contemporary art world who also happen to be married. Set against the ever-shifting landscape of New York City, the film follows Smith and Saltz as they navigate the blurred line between personal and professional: shaping cultural discourse by day, and returning home to a relationship built on humor, routine, and deep mutual respect. While their opinions can influence careers and define movements, their private world is grounded in something far more ordinary—and far more revealing. With unprecedented access, director Alison Chernick captures the rhythms of their daily lives, the evolution of their thinking, and the role criticism plays in an era when everyone has a platform but few have authority. As artists including Lena Dunham (goddaughter), Mickalene Thomas, and Cindy Sherman reflect on their influence, HOUSE OF CRITICISM becomes both a love story and a meditation on taste, relevance, and the power of saying what you really think.
- 2026
- 1 Hr 23 Mins
- Documentary, Drama
An intimate, sharply observed portrait of legendary art critics Roberta Smith and Jerry Saltz—HOUSE OF CRITICISM tells the story of the two defining voices of the contemporary art world who also happen to be married. Set against the ever-shifting landscape of New York City, the film follows Smith and Saltz as they navigate the blurred line between personal and professional: shaping cultural discourse by day, and returning home to a relationship built on humor, routine, and deep mutual respect. While their opinions can influence careers and define movements, their private world is grounded in something far more ordinary—and far more revealing. With unprecedented access, director Alison Chernick captures the rhythms of their daily lives, the evolution of their thinking, and the role criticism plays in an era when everyone has a platform but few have authority. As artists including Lena Dunham (goddaughter), Mickalene Thomas, and Cindy Sherman reflect on their influence, HOUSE OF CRITICISM becomes both a love story and a meditation on taste, relevance, and the power of saying what you really think.