Breaking the Waves
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Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Emily Watson
  • Summary: Set in a remote coastal village in northern Scotland, this is the extraordinary tale of a young woman's love and devotion to her husband, recently paralyzed in an oil rig accident.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    100
    A movie about the passions of simple people, and it's done with such extraordinary empathy and commitment that it all but pulls you under. [29 November 1996, Friday, p.A]
    All this critic's reviews
  2. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff(not credited)
    80
    A trying, contrary mix of religion and carnality that teeters on the verge of preposterous self-indulgence.
  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: Sarah Kerr
    60
    Audiences are likely to embrace Breaking the Waves as something rare and fierce and innovative, a passport into the depths of passion, but some people will reconsider when they get home.
  4. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    30
    Although it contains many visually compelling passages and some provocative moments, the movie is strangely banal and simplistic.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. antoñete
    10
    Unforgettable masterpiece with a masterclass perfomance by Emily Watson as Bess McNeill.
  2. LauraG
    10
    You just can't close your mouth once the movie has finished.
  3. PatC.
    9
    This ambitous film goes exactly where it wants to, but the editing is a bit generous, always an indicator that a film may be taking itself too seriously. Some of the enabling characters take on stereotypical tones, and the entire plot hangs tenuously on a damning indictment of freighter captains. The shift at the end from actuality to religious allegory is a bit of a push. An obviously flawed movie, but remaining brilliantly undiminished because of its realistic portrayal of community chaos from too much order imposed by and upon the dysfunctional. The film is startling in its splendid acting, eclectic musical interludes, surreal cinematography, and powerful character development. Definitely not a film for all tastes, but dead on for those who have found life to work that way.… Expand
  4. JayH
    7
    Emotionally, the film is devastating, and it is certainly not a cheery movie. The performances are rich and deep, Emily Watson is amazing. I was a bit disappointed in the ending however, but it is a very well crafted film.… Expand

See all 14 User Reviews

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