Dreams of a Life
Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. Empire
    Reviewed by: Patrick Peters
    Jul 30, 2012
    80
    This barely conceivable story of neglect and loneliness is given heartbreaking new life by Morley, with Zawe Ashton standing in effectively for the tragic young singer.
  2. indieWIRE
    Reviewed by: Eric Kohn
    Aug 2, 2012
    42
    Dreams of a Life unintentionally amounts to a mean-spirited snooze.
  3. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Andrew Schenker
    Jul 30, 2012
    63
    Dreams of a Life succeeds in making its point about the unkowability of the people in our lives, but there isn't quite enough substance here to fully sustain the film.
  4. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Peter Bradshaw
    Jul 30, 2012
    80
    Dreams of a Life is a painful film, a Christmas film with no feelgood message, but one which I think would in fact have interested Charles Dickens. Watching it is an almost claustrophobic experience, but a very powerful and moving one.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: John DeFore
    Aug 1, 2012
    80
    Carol Morley's sadly fascinating Dreams of a Life, which plays like a more artful cousin to TV's true-crime documentaries, slowly assembles a portrait of Vincent, unfolding in a way that should earn fans in its niche theatrical run.
  6. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    Aug 2, 2012
    50
    For all its subtext about identity and London's social fabric, Dreams of a Life leaves too many blanks and is ultimately more frustrating than rewarding.
  7. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Joshua Rothkopf
    Jul 31, 2012
    80
    Director Morley has at least restored something of a soul to her subject.
  8. Total Film
    Reviewed by: Neil Smith
    Jul 30, 2012
    80
    A bleak yet strangely heartening film.
  9. Variety
    Reviewed by: Charles Gant
    Aug 2, 2012
    90
    A riveting tale of a onetime vivacious personality, described by those who knew her as "stunning," "lovely," and "very well liked," but who nevertheless died alone, friendless and seemingly missed by nobody.
  10. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Michael Atkinson
    Jul 31, 2012
    50
    Left with barely any there there, Morley compensates with long reenactments starring look-alike Zawe Ashton that are never quite convincing but instead suck more air out of the haunting vacuum left behind in Vincent's wake.

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