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Talent Given Us, The

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Comedy | Drama
Written by: Andrew Wagner
Directed by: Andrew Wagner
Release Date:
Theatrical: June 17, 2005
DVD: July 11, 2006
Running Time: 98 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: Not Rated
Starring Allen Wagner, Judy Wagner, Emily Wagner, Maggie Wagner, Judy Dixon, Billy Wirth, and Andrew Wagner
A road movie about a family that is forced to come together, for better or worse. (Daddy W Productions)
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Starting Out in the Evening
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site
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...
LA Weekly Ella Taylor
A painful, hilarious and immensely moving rumination on mid-life angst.
Read Full Review >Film Threat Jeremy Mathews
A cross between a road movie, a documentary and a therapy session.
Read Full Review >Variety Scott Foundas
Brutally truthful, funny and touching in nearly equal measure.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Manohla Dargis
The strange and delightful Talent Given Us is a movie that shouldn't work but does rather remarkably.
Read Full Review >New York Post Lou Lumenick
Limps to a fairly lame conclusion, but until then its remarkable candor is like spending a memorably hilarious, harrowing and unforgettable weekend with your wacky in-laws.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Jessica Reaves
One fears, however, that not every uncomfortable scene was scripted, and that we have just been privy to some awfully private moments. It makes for uneasy viewing, sure, but it's one of the most compelling rides around.
Read Full Review >Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt
This isn't a movie, it's a thingamajig - frequently as off-putting as can be, but unassailably one of a kind.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader J.R. Jones
The most poignant performance comes from Allen, a retired stock analyst who clings to his masculine pride even though his body's falling apart on him.
Read Full Review >The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen
An engaging portrait of a functionally dysfunctional family.
Read Full Review >Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker
Autobiographical or not, the frankness and family hysteria of this rolling therapy session gets awkwardly intimate and at times tough to endure, as much for its raw candor as for its confessional contrivance. Too bad the revelations of past mistakes are more interesting than the story played out screen.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Walter Addiego
Occasionally funny and touching, but often embarrassing and cringe-inducing.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas
It's difficult, though, to see how this picture -- essentially chronicling a long car trip -- could mean much to anyone but the Wagners and their friends and relatives.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Ken Fox
This curious blend of fact and fiction is ultimately worth the trip -- just don't forget to pack the Advil.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 7.3 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Courtney B. gave it an8:
At first I thought, Whaaaat have I gotten myself into! From the first listing of the actors...most of whom had the same last name, it was readily apparent that The Talent Given Us was not your ordinary film. But I was immediately drawn in by the quirky interactions of this complex, contentious, ultimately loving family on their Pilgrim's progress from New York to LA. I highly recommend this film.
Gary gave it a5:
It has it's funny moments but the plot is a bit of a stretch and mostly the characters are just mean spirited and annoying.
