The best American movie of the year. Has a subtext so powerful that it reaches out and pulls you under. Even when the surface is tranquil, you know in your guts what's at stake.
It's a rare thrill -- in this cinematically hollow year.
88
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
Honest, poignant and very funny, full of memorable, moving moments.
80
L.A. WeeklyHazel-Dawn Dumpert
L.A. WeeklyHazel-Dawn Dumpert
(Linney and Ruffalo) are just beautiful enough, in fact, to be in the movies and still remain convincing as authentic folk, and their performances are tremendously moving.
Writer/director Lonergan succeeds at capturing eloquently the disappointments of growing up and growing old. But he isn't always successful at reining in the schmaltz.
Seems like a TV movie. A well-written, sympathetically acted TV movie, to be sure, but so timid and clumsy in its deployment of picture, sound, and editing that you have to wonder if executive producer Martin Scorsese bothered to give notes.