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Dish, The

EMAILPRINTWarner Bros.

Dish, The reviews
74
8.1 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 27 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 11 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Comedy

Written by: Santo Cilauro
Tom Gleisner
Jane Kennedy
Rob Sitch

Directed by: Rob Sitch

Release Date:
Theatrical: March 14, 2001
DVD: August 31, 2001

Running Time: 104 minutes, Color

Origin: Australia

Summary

RATING: PG-13 for brief strong language

Starring Sam Neill, Kevin Harrington, Patrick Warburton, Tom Long, Bille Brown, Roy Billing, Tayler Kane, and Genevieve Mooy

Set on a sheep farm in the remote town of Parkes, Australia in 1969, this is the amusing story of a satellite interface that served as a relay between NASA and Apollo 11 during the historic mission to the moon.

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

It's a lovely, original, Australian take on a climactic moment usually thought of as all American.

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88

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

It placed second for the People's Choice Award at the 2000 Toronto Film Festival--after "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." That's about right.

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88

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

The kind of movie some audiences are starved for, a comedy with a human face, warmth and spirit.

88

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Cannily weaving cross-cultural comedy with we-can-do-it humor in the spirit of "The Full Monty," the film builds to a rousing climax.

83

Portland Oregonian Kim Morgan

Appropriate music, lovely cinematography and stellar performances by both a subtly moving Neill and a likable, barrel-chested super-American Warburton.

80

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

Apollo 11's mission was a singular chapter in the story of mankind; The Dish finds a whimsical, winning way of telling it anew.

80

Washington Post Desson Thomson

Takes unabashed delight in itself and its own culture.

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80

Washington Post Rita Kempley

Simple fare, a feel-good movie that re-creates a time and place with gentle humor and a reminder that the Aussies have the right stuff, too.

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75

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

The acting and screenplay are amusing, but director Sitch might have taken a more adventurous approach to a tale with such an adventurous subject.

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75

Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea

Amusing, compelling and technologically fascinating tale.

75

Boston Globe Jay Carr

Warm, wry, endearing.

75

Baltimore Sun Chris Kaltenbach

It was a time in history eminently worth celebrating on film.

75

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

Sitch keeps the tone consistently light, scoring big laughs all the way to the film's climax.

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75

San Francisco Chronicle Bob Graham

A quirky character study of the four-man team, led by Sam Neill as the crew leader who seems surrounded by an aura of sadness but is so dedicated that he's not above lying to Houston to buy time when something goes wrong.

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75

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Paula Nechak

Works well as a metaphor for a more innocent time.

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75

New York Daily News Jami Bernard

For all its folksy jocularity, the movie inspires a sense of global patriotism. In the big picture, every little dish counts.

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75

USA Today Susan Wloszczyna

Dramatically moving and good-naturedly humorous, it transmits a sharp picture of humanity that inspires both awe and laughter.

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70

Variety Dennis Harvey

A feel-good comic ensembler that's hard to resist.

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70

LA Weekly F. X. Feeney

Surprisingly moving -- prompting lumps in the throat over what was, after all, a historic moment of the most luminous hope.

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70

TV Guide Ken Fox

The cast is wonderful, the soundtrack features a well-chosen array of bouncy period pop tunes, and Graeme Wood's cinematography makes the most of the stately beauty of the dish itself.

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70

Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

It unfolds in a hearty, good-natured Australian comedy that affectionately depicts how the citizens of a small town become connected to the Apollo moon flight.

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70

Mr. Showbiz Kevin Maynard

A disarming helping of Capra-esque corn served up by writer-director Rob Sitch.

70

The New York Times Stephen Holden

Maintains a tone that remains as light and easygoing as the Australians living in the area.

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67

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

Utterly charming.

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63

Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman

If you like films short, sweet and soothing, this may be exactly your "Dish."

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60

Film.com Robert Horton

If it weren't so pushy about selling itself, The Dish might have been a very special movie.

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60

Village Voice Michael Atkinson

Harmless and affectionate, The Dish gives its clichés breathing room, and so a few are pleasantly surprising.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jay H gave it a7:
Sweet Australian film The cast is wonderful and give very real and natural performances. The characters are very well defined. Great cinematography, well written and directed. It's a fine, solid film.

Helen W. gave it a10:
One of my favorite movies. Anyone alive at the time the movie takes place is going to appreciate it. Very nostalgic, accented with popular music of the time, as well as a very nice score. I've seen it many times, and it still brings tears to my eyes. It is very sweet, funny and moving. One of the few moments in history you when you could believe we have the capacity to get it right, and you are glad to relive it again and again.

Boen i Egget gave it a 4:
Kind of boring.

David F. gave it a 9:
I think this is a great movie this and the castle r the best australian movies ever made i dont care what ne1 says.

Sam W. gave it a 10:
Marvellous, moving, funny.

Mikey gave it an 8:
I really enjoyed this movie. This is the type of intelligent, humorous, adult quality film that the whole family can enjoy. Take your parents and your grandparents to see it!

Catriona C. gave it a 10:
Very funny and whimsical.

Read more user comments >

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