50
Metascore
30 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- Hester’s goal was to convince politicians that gay people are like everyone else. In its ultra-mainstream style, and now in its argument for equality (which most of America endorses today), this solidly acted drama drives that point home.
- 70Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlVillage VoiceAlan ScherstuhlBeneath the clichés of prestige filmmaking beat the hearts of a couple it's a privilege to get to know.
- 50Slant MagazineEd GonzalezSlant MagazineEd GonzalezThe filmmakers, for better and for worse, stay out of the actresses' way, as Freeheld's artistry is so unadorned that the performances somehow feel more naked as a result.
- 50HitfixGregory EllwoodHitfixGregory EllwoodAn impressive cast and significant real-life events can’t trump the fact it’s a badly made movie.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyThe Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyAll the conviction the actors can muster can't make this script feel less pat.
- 40Time OutDavid EhrlichTime OutDavid EhrlichThere’s no pleasure in trashing a film as humanistic and well-intentioned as Freeheld, but just because anyone would agree with its message doesn’t mean this glorified Lifetime movie does a worthy job of conveying it.
- 40VarietyJustin ChangVarietyJustin ChangDespite a credible and moving love story driven by strong performances from Julianne Moore and Ellen Page, director Peter Sollett’s film is an oppressively worthy and self-satisfied inspirational vehicle that views its story primarily as a series of teachable moments.
- 33The PlaylistRodrigo PerezThe PlaylistRodrigo PerezA would-be but not-actually-inspiring movie about a landmark LGBT rights case that loses sight of the flesh and blood people at its heart, gets bogged down in tedious municipal politics and fails to find a way to compellingly dramatize an important story.
- 20The GuardianNigel M SmithThe GuardianNigel M SmithA film that should feel urgent and of its time, but instead is rendered cliched and dull by Sollet’s amateurish handling of the material.