Critic Reviews
68
Metascore
Generally Favorable
positive
20(74%)
mixed
7(26%)
negative
0(0%)
Showing 27 Critic Reviews
100
The movie is uncommonly absorbing.
100
Heart-warming, funny, wise and profound. Not to be missed.
90
Beautiful moments abound. In Departures, the contemplation of death prepares the way for an appreciation of life.
90
The film manages to be anything but dark; whimsy and sweet irony are laced throughout, a warmhearted blend that turned it into the surprise winner of 2008's Oscar for foreign-language film.
90
On its own terms, Departures is a thing of rare and remarkable beauty.
88
Though events unravel predictably, the film is profoundly affecting, thanks to a well-written story, rich characters and superlative acting.
88
A surprisingly uplifting examination of life and loss.
80
Yojiro Takita, who directed enduring commercial hits like "The Ying Yang Master" and "The Yen Family," has made a popular gem -- thematically respectable, technically hard to fault, artfully scripted to entertain and touch.
80
Departures is built for simplicity, and, if nothing else, the appeal to decency and integrity of this sweetly old-fashioned tale make it a must for Bernie Madoff's prison Netflix queue.
80
It will absolutely delight the art-house crowd. Multiplexes will be crowded with noisy summer films, after all, from which Departures will represent a sophisticated and elegant departure.
