"A reverent and galvanizing film celebrating dance that's a reflection of black life created by a pioneer."
— Dwight Brown, National Newspaper Publishers Association
"Wignot masterfully weaves the present with the past in a way that causes her movie to surge with urgency."
— Oliver Jones, Observer
"Director Jamilla Wignot's film gives voice to the silent protest in Ailey's heart that did not have an audience."
— Sheri Flanders, Chicago Reader
"'Ailey' creates a feeling about Alvin Ailey: how grace and eloquence, fire and obsession merged within him."
— Owen Gleiberman, Variety
"Though his dances may take your breath away, Jamison claims Ailey's final breath was a deep inhale, and the company glides on his exhale to this day."
— Jude Dry, indieWire
"Jamila Wignot's extraordinarily moving documentary on Black dance pioneer Alvin Ailey devotes as much screen time to the choreographer's breathtaking stage works as to the reflections from friends, collaborators, dancers and artistic directors."
— Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
"Caught between exalting the glory of his titanic accomplishments and their indelible mark on Black American culture, and figuring him out with only the available pieces of his intimate puzzle, "Ailey" does succeed at painting him as a complex figure."
— Carlos Aguilar, TheWrap
