Joe Gould's Secret
Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
view
per page
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    100
    A delicate yet haunting movie, a meditation on friendship, on the roots of bohemianism, on the sad comedy of madness.
  2. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: F. X. Feeney
    90
    The alchemy of good acting under the pressure of sublime film sense makes for a miracle in the hearts of the audience.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Rita Kempley
    90
    A brainy, superbly acted buddy movie.
  4. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    There is anguish here that makes "American Beauty" pale by comparison.
  5. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    88
    A wonderful, heart-breaking movie.
  6. San Francisco Examiner
    Reviewed by: Edvins Beitiks
    88
    Tucci and Holm brilliant as magazine writer and artist.
  7. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Larry Terenzi
    85
    Tucci has crafted a poignant remembrance of a bygone era, and a touching examination of the responsibilities of creativity.
  8. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Bill Gallo
    80
    A vivid double portrait of the artistic sensibility in its many weathers -- expressed by two fine actors clearly engaged in a labor of love.
  9. Film.com
    Reviewed by: Robert Horton
    80
    A fitting tribute to an era, a writer, and an unapologetic eccentric.
  10. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    80
    A series of subtly interlocking character studies.
  11. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    80
    A movie to savor.
  12. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jami Bernard
    75
    Holm is dazzling as the grubby little misfit, just a little brilliant and a little insane.
  13. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Foreman
    75
    An elegant, quietly comical but slightly constricted period piece whose stately pace is all but offset by several impressive performances.
  14. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Edward Guthmann
    75
    (Holm) nails one of the best roles of his career.
  15. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    75
    Finely etched and acted but too often limpid and punchless in its impact.
  16. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    70
    Makes for a great story.
  17. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    70
    It's a tall order that Tucci is not up to filling. But don't discount the pleasure of watching him try.
    All this critic's reviews
  18. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: J. Hoberman
    70
    A quietly ambitious, well-wrought, and tastefully poignant treatment of two local literary legends.
  19. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Sean Axmaker
    67
    A gentle and often beautiful study in opposites.
  20. Film.com
    Reviewed by: Ernest Hardy
    60
    Drags on far too long.
  21. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    60
    Settles for being an atmospheric scenes-in-the-life biography of someone's most unforgettable character. It could have been so much more.
  22. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Charles Taylor
    50
    Carefully made, respectful and dull.
  23. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Schickel
    50
    There's a great story here, but Tucci's literate, civilized, wistful movie lacks savage impulse and refuses to show how mutual exploitation led to minor tragedy.

User Reviews

All reviews »

There are no user reviews yet.