Incendies
User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 46
  3. Negative: 2 out of 46

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  1. MarcDoyle
    Apr 28, 2011
    9
    A tremendous film. Even though there's a lot going on, and there's much to unpack, the way the story unfolds is so effortlessly handled, and it's quite a story - packs an enormous punch. Throughout, I kept having to resist my yearning for more historical & geographical context, but I'm guessing the writer/director wanted to keep the focus on Marwan and her personal struggles and tortured history. Highly recommended.… Expand
  2. nutterjr
    Jul 5, 2011
    9
    My favourite pick of the 2011 Oscar nominees for foreign film (along with Dogtooth). A haunting story, full of twists, notable for the remarkable performance of Azabal.
  3. cabrita
    Oct 15, 2011
    10
    Greatly made building up suspense until it dazzle's you with it's shocking finish. One of the best movies of last year!
  4. CitizenCharlie
    Aug 29, 2011
    7
    Lebanese-Canadian Nawal Marwan (Lubna Azabal) has passed away. She was at the swimming pool, started staring off into space, and then slowly faded away in the hospital. She has left behind her twins, Jeanne and Simon, who are in their early â
  5. MorriBey
    Apr 27, 2011
    10
    A wonderful piece of motion art with a disturbing conclusion . Its a painting of a harrowing scene told in the most beautiful strokes. It stays with you long after.
  6. JamesL
    May 30, 2011
    8
    This was a very good movie that reflected the realities of Lebanon's civil war. Although brutal and tough to watch at times, I thought the film captured the essence of that period based on my knowledge of it. I do think the film could have had a prologue explaining the political situation in which we the viewer were about to be injected. One of the things I admire about foreign films is they are less likely to glamorize or gloss over the brutality that exists. I went and looked up the history of the conflict and found it to be as complicated as this film portrayed. The scenes that really struck me were he cold blooded killing of the little child on the bus and the sniper killings in Beirut. History seems to be continuously repeating itself in the Middle East.… Expand
  7. GOUGH
    May 5, 2011
    5
    It seemed a tad busy, and the languages not being my own first, robbed me I'm sure from some being able to tell if it was genuine in some scenes with the acting...though Grandmother's did seem a little over the top, not buying it some. The story did move in time a lot. The two female lead's too much alike in look made it a good challenge to see where we were in the story. Fine. But a lot of things we could guess what were what and yeah, intentional, what with the characters finding out later...but, so much repetition of some story lines, felt as if, you know, CUT CUT CUT already. We get it. Still, heavy impact at the latter bits. WOW. No spoilers here but, advice: GO TO A COMFORTABLE SEATING PLACE! Regal Cinema in Irvine's blows!… Collapse
  8. netflic
    May 16, 2011
    6
    At times, the movie is so good that it could have been a masterpiece (no wonder it was nominated for Oscar in International movies category). But it is not.

    The final twist of the story (which is tightly connected to the beginning) makes the whole of it somewhat of a farce.

    In my opinion, the topic of great magnitude, such as civilian population suffering in a war, should not be confined     into an obscure and improbable case.

    Still, I cannot overlook the number of impressive, magnificent scenes which make the movie definitely worth seeing.    … Expand
  9. koundinya
    Jul 16, 2012
    8
    Another year, another Oscar snub. The movie is too tragic to be true. The movie leaves you shell-shocked with umpteen twists and turns as the plot swerves from one direction to another disclosing unbelievable facts. A treat to lovers of mystery.
  10. philo
    May 10, 2011
    9
    superb movie. gripping, difficult material to watch. it stays with you for a long time afterwards. superb acting, interesting plot twists and very intriguing movement from present to past and back again. highly recommended.
  11. Melly
    Jun 9, 2011
    9
    A wonderful movie, it was a bit hard to follow at times going back and forth between the time periods but what a great story! It had more than one gut wrenching exposure, but the ending of it all was so unexpected! I highly recommend this movie, a great expose on human life.
  12. maloned
    Aug 11, 2011
    9
    As much as a love movies, it's still difficult for me to watch foreign films, because of the whole subtitle reading.. but this movie transcends language. I highly recommend it.
  13. PD4
    May 19, 2011
    5
    I'll keep it simple. Incendies gets a score of 5:

    The storytelling is sparingly engrossing.
    The plot feels too contrived.
    It leaves you morally browbeaten.
    It contains multiple "r u serious?" moments
  14. byron
    Jul 21, 2011
    10
    This was the most powerful movie I have seen in current memory. The screenplay was incredibly dramatic and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire movie. The suspense was complete and when the truth was revealed I found that I had no idea expectation how it would end. In addition to a well written. the actors were superbly chosen and fitted for their roles. The cinematography was beyond description...in my opinion, this is academy award material… Expand
  15. Smilewithme
    Mar 16, 2013
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Movie itself contains some really painful moments, but it's a beautiful story. I wasn't really convinced by Simon, I thought his character lacked some life. But both female roles were astonishing. I thought older brother's story was really painful and I felt compassion for his character. I would love to see more of him and his story in the movie. Overall I think it's a great movie.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 34 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. New Orleans Times-Picayune
    Reviewed by: Mike Scott
    Jul 15, 2011
    88
    A story of hope amid the ruins -- one that everybody can appreciate, no matter their politics.
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  2. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    Jun 23, 2011
    75
    The story might have worked as well without that stick-in-the-craw coincidence, which was inserted to maximize the horrors of Nawal's past.
    Read full review
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: David Parkinson
    Jun 20, 2011
    80
    A thriller that twists and turns with an understated power that will have you gripping the arm of your seat. Terrific stuff.
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