Critic Reviews
78
Metascore
Generally Favorable
positive
24(96%)
mixed
0(0%)
negative
1(4%)
Showing 25 Critic Reviews
100
A work of astonishing delicacy and force, a tone poem about the Frankenstein jolts that all of us, at one time or another, have to live through.
90
As Morvern, Morton is disconcertingly enigmatic, often bordering on catatonic. But she carries the movie effortlessly. And even though we're on the outside looking in, she carries us along, too.
90
Ramsay reaches out boldly with a film that is as unsettling as it is minimalist.
90
(Morton's) character here is emotionally mute -- though Morvern speaks, she can't or won't reveal what's in her heart -- and her performance is brilliant from start to finish.
88
I think the answer is right there in the film, but less visible to American viewers because we are less class-conscious than the filmmakers.
88
A gossamer tale about a heavy subject -- a passive creature who slowly emerges as the active author of her own life.
88
Morton deserves an Oscar nomination, but she is unlikely to get one. The movie is too dark and out of the mainstream to impress the conservative fogies who vote for the prizes.
83
There are two reasons Ramsay succeeds with a story that might at best be called morbid: She visually transforms the dreary expanse of dead-end distaste the characters inhabit into a poem of art, music and metaphor -- and she has the perfect actress to embody Morvern.
80
Ramsay's second feature is an extraordinary adaptation of fellow-Scot Alan Warner's acclaimed novel.
80
A strange and beautiful film.
