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Guitar, The

EMAILPRINTLightning Media

Guitar, The reviews
30
2.7 User Score:

Generally unfavorable reviews

Based on 8 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 4 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Drama  |  Romance

Written by: Amos Poe

Directed by: Amy Redford

Release Date:
Theatrical: November 7, 2008
DVD: February 10, 2009

Running Time: 95 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: R for sexual content, nudity and some language

Starring Saffron Burrows, Isaach De Bankolé, and Paz De La Huerta

One morning Mel, a mousy, harried New Yorker with a thankless job and an even-less-appealing boyfriend learns that the tumor in her throat is cancerous and the diagnosis is terminal. She then hears that both her job and her relationship are coming to an end. Rather than wallowing in self-pity, she embarks on an endless spending spree, the kind of self-indulgent wish fulfillment that we have all fantasized about. The Guitar is inspired by a true story. Overflowing with an energy and vitality that belies the initial darkness of its narrative, The Guitar is a transcendent respite from the turmoil of our troubled times. (Lightning Media)

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...

58

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

The Guitar is a lark, at best, but when Burrows' healing indulgence extends to taking on lovers of both sexes, its goofiness acquires a certain hedonistic charm.

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50

New York Post Lou Lumenick

This bizarre art-house equiva lent of "The Bucket List" suggests that receiving a diagnosis of inoperable cancer, losing your job and being dumped by your boyfriend in the same day can be a growth experience.

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50

Variety Justin Chang

This beguiling wisp of a film charms and maddens in equal measure.

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40

The Hollywood Reporter Duane Byrge

Amos Poe's screenplay shows psychological smarts but, most egregiously, consumes itself with an overdosage of narrative painkillers. A feel-good bromide, in effect, flatlines this otherwise exemplary film.

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30

Film Threat Zack Haddad

It is a real shame that this film didn't turn out better since Amy Redford has some potential as a director (and it doesn't hurt to be the daughter of the Sundance Kid), yet this film is just way too flawed to even bother with.

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30

The New York Times Stephen Holden

That the movie is easy on the eyes (Melody's fetching silhouette against those sunset river views) doesn't make it any less bogus.

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20

New York Daily News Joe Neumaier

Inherently cringe-worthy.

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10

Village Voice Nick Pinkerton

Interesting only in showing how tin-eared scriptwriting (by Amos Poe) can make 2008 New York City seem less familiar than 1952 Japan.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 2.7 (out of 10) based on 4 User Votes

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

[Anonymous] gave it a6:
This wasn't that bad of a movie. The character discovers herself through her cancer, that's cool I guess.

Jay H. gave it a4:
Painfully slow movie, a real sleep inducer. At times it is really stupid. I was not impressed with anything about the film really. The score is monotonous, the performances bland.

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