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Giant
Metascore
64 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    88
    Gigante represents the sort of artful low-budget accomplishment that could, and should, be coming out of distressingly stingy Chicago once a year - whatever the subject, whatever the sensibility.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    Because of the limitations imposed by the nature of Gigante, and because of Jara's simple, almost childish shyness, the film doesn't transcend its characters. Like Jara, it waits and watches.
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    75
    Camandule gives a strong performance as the lovesick guard, but Svarcas gets little chance to show her skills. There's minimal dialogue and camera movement -- but lots of charm.
  4. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Thomas
    70
    As unpretentious as it is perceptive, Gigante is a gem.
  5. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    70
    It is an appealing, gently comedic prologue to a love story.
  6. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Cliff Doerksen
    70
    It's an interesting film but not enthralling, a little like Steven Soderbergh's "Bubble" minus the element of crime.
  7. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Deborah Young
    60
    The film is impeccable but distant, lacking in spontaneity and not very original.
  8. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: David Fear
    60
    The problem is that the film also refuses to move beyond a glacial pace, and its choice to go slow-and-low doesn't scream art-house aesthetic so much as unintentionally sluggish. For such a small character study, that decision ends up being a doozy of a deal breaker.
  9. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Nick Pinkerton
    50
    With potentially lethargic materials, Biniez has made a quiet, intent, involving film, a moony-innocent urban alienation fairy tale of bashful ogre and village beauty--and it never quite crests.
  10. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    40
    Though it takes time to find its courage and heart, Gigante, like its oversized hero, merely has a slow, shy way of doing things.
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