The "Miami Herald" said about the controversy in its review, "the focus on the trivialities of personality conveniently prevents us from having to confront the tough questions [Stone's] film raises." However, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert gave the film two thumbs up on their television show. Writing for the "Chicago Tribune", Siskel called the film "thoroughly compelling" and suggested that while it contained "gross alterations of fact," Stone had "the right to speculate on American history." Ebert praised the film in his review for the "Chicago Sun-Times", saying,