76
Metascore
12 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlVillage VoiceAlan ScherstuhlIt's a tough film to shake, a slice-of-life that slices, knifelike. It's a funny drama of brothers that first makes you hate its prickly leads but then, after steeping you in their bottomed-out day-to-day, might inspire you to hope for them.
- 83The A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloThe A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloDesplechin’s pictures can be as maddening as they are exhilarating, and the same is true of The Mend, which sometimes seems in danger of over dosing on its own stylistic flourishes. Nonetheless, it’s a hugely promising introduction to a director who’s just getting started.
- 80The New York TimesNicolas RapoldThe New York TimesNicolas RapoldDirecting his first feature after some shorts, John Magary digs into his characters with fresh eyes and a sly sense of adventure.
- 80The GuardianJordan HoffmanThe GuardianJordan HoffmanMany a first-time film-maker thinks they are too good to follow any sort of rules, and blends genres by writing from a purely instinctual level. More often than not, the result is unpalatable. The Mend, somewhat miraculously, is here to buck the trend. Let’s just hope that not too many people decide to follow its lead.
- 80Los Angeles TimesRobert AbeleLos Angeles TimesRobert AbeleBy turns opaque, harsh, self-aware, indulgent and wickedly funny. It's never dull, pummeling you with its prickly smarts.
- 75Slant MagazineNick PriggeSlant MagazineNick PriggeThe film is defined by its staunch refusal to clarify its characters' emotional issues, marooning them instead in the messes those emotions have wrought.
- 75RogerEbert.comBrian TallericoRogerEbert.comBrian TallericoWhen Magary’s dialogue gets a bit too theatrical and self-conscious in the final act, you notice just because of how strong it’s been for the previous 80 minutes.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThe Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeA convincing and refreshingly indirect examination of handed-down emotional flaws.
- 60New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierNew York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierA terrific, quirky New York-set character piece.
- 33The PlaylistRodrigo PerezThe PlaylistRodrigo PerezIll-defined, overlong and wandering with unlikable leads (even Alan is too feeble and useless to sympathize with), The Mend would be a disaster if it weren't for the fact that the lack of vision is marginally absorbing in a kind train wreck, “will this movie ever reveal what the hell it’s about?”-like manner.