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Scotland, PA

EMAILPRINTLot 47 Films

Scotland, PA reviews
49
8.0 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 25 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 12 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Comedy

Written by: Billy Morrissette
William Shakespeare (play Macbeth)

Directed by: Billy Morrissette

Release Date:
Theatrical: February 8, 2002
DVD: October 22, 2002

Running Time: 97 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: R for language, some nudity, drug content and brief violence

Starring James LeGros, Maura Tierney, Christopher Walken, Kevin Corrigan, James Rebhorn, Tom Guiry, Amy Smart, and Andy Dick

A black comedy retelling of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," set against the backdrop of a fast food restaurant in early 70's, rural Pennsylvania. (Lot 47 Films)

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...

90

Washington Post Desson Thomson

It's simple, sizzly and very funny.

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80

Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector

Kitschy, clever expressionist sets, subtly marvelous 70s costumes, and an almost monolithic rock sound track enhance the meaty performances of actors who clearly appreciate the opportunity to riff on a classic--and promote vegetarianism.

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75

New York Post Lou Lumenick

The first half of Scotland, PA is by far the funniest, with witty dialogue, hilariously ugly period fashions and hairstyles.

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75

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker

Murders aside, Mac and Pat are the most fun-loving Shakespearean couple to hit the screen, and Morrissette's answer to Lady Macbeth's damned spot is brilliant.

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75

San Francisco Chronicle Carla Meyer

Succeeds because of the cast's communal vibe of arrogant stupidity.

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70

New Times (L.A.) Gregory Weinkauf

Hovers curiously short of its full potential for mirth and mayhem. Still, the movie is more fair than foul, and it succeeds well enough as a freakish experiment and mockery of all concerned.

70

LA Weekly Hazel-Dawn Dumpert

It's a setup so easy it borders on facile, but keeping the film from cheap-shot mediocrity is its crack cast.

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67

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

Funny? Yes, but in its slapdash way, it sounds nuttier than it plays.

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67

Portland Oregonian Kim Morgan

Has two other notable things going for it: the brilliant Christopher Walken and a soundtrack packed with songs by the drippy power ballad band Bad Company.

63

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

That very curious thing, a Shakespearean happy meal.

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63

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

I have the curious suspicion that it will be enjoyed most by someone who knows absolutely nothing about Shakespeare, and can see it simply as the story of some very strange people who seem to be reading from the same secret script.

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63

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

Shakespeare purists may scoff and wonder what the point is, but Morrissette would probably shrug and say ``Why not?''

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60

TV Guide Ken Fox

Basically a one-joke film, but the joke is a good one.

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60

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

At many points along the way I wanted to wash my hands of Scotland, PA., but then this sly, silly comedy got me smiling again.

60

Film Threat Ron Wells

This should have been a black comic masterpiece. The cast is certainly up to the task, even in the small roles.

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50

New York Daily News Jami Bernard

As Shakespeare adaptations go, Scotland, PA. is just a McNugget, but the actors help sustain the satiric tone right up until McBeth's lady finally gets that stain out the old-fashioned way, with a cleaver.

40

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

Walken is so funny, he almost makes you forget this flick is one joke stretched thinner than Calista Flockhart.

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40

The New York Times Stephen Holden

Too leisurely paced and visually drab for its own good, it succeeds in being only sporadically amusing.

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40

Village Voice J. Hoberman

The irrepressible Walken smiles benignly down on his colleagues, secure in the knowledge that his antics have capsized sturdier vessels than this. Playing a supposed health-food nut, he enters the movie chewing and doesn't stop until he's devoured every scene down to the props.

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38

Boston Globe Jay Carr

Blurs the line between black comedy and black hole.

30

The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps

Shakespeare hasn't had it this rough since Lemmy from Motörhead performed the opening soliloquy in "Tromeo And Juliet."

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30

Salon.com Charles Taylor

This adolescent comic-noir trounces Shakespeare's "Macbeth," but Maura Tierney sizzles as a vengeful Lady Frycook.

Read Full Review >
25

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

Think about the worst movie ideas you've had in your life, the ones so embarrassing they make you wince. Now imagine this: a modernized version of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" titled Scotland, Pa.

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20

New York Magazine Peter Rainer

Writer-director Billy Morrissette doesn't have much feeling for satire -- or for Shakespeare. This is a comedy for people who couldn't make it through the CliffsNotes.

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20

Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

It's easy to accuse Morrissette of condescending to a bunch of yokels, but hardly anybody would hold that against him if the result had been hilarious instead of deadly dull.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

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

Jim G. gave it a4:
Just another hamburger joint with mediocre burgs and slightly cold fries.

abbey m. gave it a10:
Best movie ever!

Angie D. gave it a10:
I Loved It!!

Abster L. gave it a10:
Morrisette did an awesome job with this remake of MacBeth....It is by far my favorite movie!

Abbey L. gave it a10:
Amazing. This is by far my favorite movie of all time. Morrissette did a fabulous job of retelling the classic Shakespearian play of McBeth.

Craig M. gave it an 8:
Not great, but great fun.

Anthony M. gave it a 10:
Funny! Walken is brilliant and the cast plays tongue-in-cheek so seriously I found myself laughing out loud. You either get the joke or it goes over your head and you should be watching Disney films instead.

Read more user comments >

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