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Talent Given Us, The

EMAILPRINTDaddy W Productions

Talent Given Us, The reviews
72
7.3 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
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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)

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...

91

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

A film of uncommon originality.

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88

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

A brave, funny, affecting film.

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80

LA Weekly Ella Taylor

A painful, hilarious and immensely moving rumination on mid-life angst.

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80

Film Threat Jeremy Mathews

A cross between a road movie, a documentary and a therapy session.

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80

Variety Scott Foundas

Brutally truthful, funny and touching in nearly equal measure.

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80

The New York Times Manohla Dargis

The strange and delightful Talent Given Us is a movie that shouldn't work but does rather remarkably.

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75

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.

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75

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.

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75

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.

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70

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.

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70

Village Voice Dennis Lim

Raw, fascinating, often unpleasant film.

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70

The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

An engaging portrait of a functionally dysfunctional family.

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63

New York Daily News Jami Bernard

It's weird and wonderful.

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58

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.

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50

San Francisco Chronicle Walter Addiego

Occasionally funny and touching, but often embarrassing and cringe-inducing.

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50

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.

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50

TV Guide Ken Fox

This curious blend of fact and fiction is ultimately worth the trip -- just don't forget to pack the Advil.

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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.

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