Phone Booth
Metascore
56 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 35
  3. Negative: 4 out of 35
view
per page
  1. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Carrie Rickey
    38
    A high-concept hostage drama of absolutely no value to anyone -- except maybe Bell Atlantic, whose titular street-corner pay phone is on screen for almost every agonizing frame.
  2. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    30
    A movie that's laughable without, alas, even being enjoyably awful.
  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    30
    The premise is admittedly a killer--fun to think about, fun to see realized, not so fun to see screwed up in the last half-hour.
  4. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    20
    Bogus on every level, right down to its half-hearted trick ending.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 93 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 52
  3. Negative: 15 out of 52
  1. grandpajoe6191
    6
    "Phonebooth" demonstrates that Director Joel Schumacher, despite the massive Cliches and disjointed script he created, can actually direct decent movies.… Full Review »
  2. Duskspark
    8
    An original and simply idea, yet filled with such thrilling moments that will keep you hooked to the front of your chair from start to finish. It shown the volnurability of ordinary people and how lies unfold, yet with a certain touch that keeps it interresting without ever losing any of its intentions.… Full Review »
  3. matroycem
    8
    This is one of my favourite movies. Firstly I am not a huge Colin Farrell fan and some of his acting can be ropey but he puts in a solid display. The brilliance of this film is the fact its so simple. It is basically one set. One man on camera emoting and then a voice on the other end of the line. Farrell shows his emotion and has a great range of these through the film. Some of the supporting cast in the more meaningless roles are not great but the key roles of Farrell, Whitaker and the brilliant Keifer Sutherland really make this film. Sutherland is by far the best performance as he is pretty much just a voice. He is menacing, funny, evil and sadistic all through his tones. This was pretty much his come back movie after his fall from grace and really impressed me. The plot is not all that deep but I would certainly tell people to watch this as I liked it for its simplicity. To make a film captivating when it is set in one location is impressive.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »