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Duck
Metascore
53 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
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  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Rory L. Aronsky
    80
    The most touching moments come from Amy Hill as Linh, who runs a nail salon located next to a strip of long-forgotten Hollywood Walk of Fame stars.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Lisa Nesselson
    70
    A small, affecting road movie peopled with sharp vignettes.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    63
    The thin, whimsical story is really better suited to a short film, but Hall deserves a lot of credit for carrying off such unusual material.
  4. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Mark Feeney
    50
    Writer-director Nic Bettauer can't decide whether to play Duck for tears or laughs.
  5. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Chuck Wilson
    50
    Bettauer means for Arthur and Joe's adventures to be a fable about empathy and hope, but her tone shifts awkwardly between silly and ponderous.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Crust
    50
    Writer-director Nic Bettauer hits upon some important themes, including homelessness, environmentalism and the plight of the elderly, but not enough care has gone into developing the subsidiary characters who merely come across as types.
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Neil Genzlinger
    30
    The quirky characters they meet aren't quirky enough, and the political points Ms. Bettauer sprinkles into her script thud awkwardly.
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. JackC
    2
    A horribly-paced mess that takes itself way too seriously and favors cartoonish pathos over realistic emotion. The film never succeeded in making me sympathize with its protagonist due to the sheer heavy-handedness of the tragedies continually piled onto him, and every character he met (though some were well-acted) fell into one of three groups of cardboard cutouts. There were the kind, understanding people, the complete monsters, and the people who were in desperate need of Arthur's homespun cliche wisdom. I might appreciate the message of this film more if it hadn't completely driven me away with its shoddy construction.… Full Review »
  2. JayH
    6
    I loved the simplicity and pacing of the film. Well acted, sensitively directed and pleasant cinematography. It can be a bit slow moving, but overall it works.… Full Review »
  3. JimG.
    3
    Very disappointing, amateurish uneven hodgepodge. I have great regard for Philip Baker Hall but can't think of how he got sucked into this one. Seems like there was no one who spoke up and tried to edit the screenplay or provide some governing theme. Lots of bad acting, too. Yikes.… Full Review »
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