Poster Boy
Metascore
36 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 12
  3. Negative: 5 out of 12
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  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    63
    The film's strident tone also serves to undermine its generally above-average performances.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: G. Allen Johnson
    50
    Some clunky writing and a distracting subplot limit the effectiveness of this ambitious low-budget indie. Great idea for a movie, though.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Thomas
    50
    Even with satisfying performances from the principal actors, Poster Boy is longer on energy than focus.
  4. Variety
    Reviewed by: David Rooney
    50
    Underproduced and compromised by an uneven script and a tendency to descend into melodrama, the DV-lensed feature nonetheless is well acted and directed with confidence.
  5. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Hank Sartin
    50
    Director Zak Tucker is a bit too fond of jump cuts as signifiers of edginess. Still, when the material doesn't get in the way he's pretty good at getting across the emotional content.
  6. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Jeannette Catsoulis
    40
    A polemic masquerading as a movie, Poster Boy unspools like a humorless lecture on right-wing homophobia.
  7. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Ann Hornaday
    40
    Although audiences will admire the film's do-it-yourself energy and commitment, Poster Boy finally collapses of its own contrived weight, deflating just when it should soar into madcap -- or at least thoughtful -- satire.
  8. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    38
    As irritating as an ideological college student, this earnest debut from Zak Tucker is determined to teach us a lesson about right and wrong.
  9. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Janice Page
    38
    An overwrought story of American politics and image-making that really only gets interesting in the final act.
  10. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ernest Hardy
    30
    Working from a preachy, clumsy script that's full of gaping holes in logic, plot and character development, director Zak Tucker is also handicapped by a cast filled with actors who seem to be in their first year of acting school.
  11. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Melissa Levine
    30
    Rather than creating believable characters engaged in nuanced conflict, Boy proffers a pair of obvious symbols and hopes that they'll make a statement about the personal and the political.
  12. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    25
    Tucker's message is sometimes on target, even if his film isn't.

User Reviews

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User Score
4.0 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 2 out of 4
  1. Shays
    9
    Great Movie overall. But even PORN movies are better directed and edited than this movie.
  2. StevenH.
    5
    Not a stupid movie - an interesting idea, actually. I watched with low expectations and enjoyed it more than I expected. I thought the acting was quite good and the direction was OK. It was let down by a script which was interestingly literate in parts and amazingly clunky in other parts; the framing device of talking to a journalist was artificial and unnecessary; the Izzie sub-plot was distracting; and several plot points seemed implausible to me. Nevertheless, by the time of the climactic speech I was glued to the screen and keen to see how it would all end.… Full Review »
  3. Eldon
    0
    Geez, I wish I could argue with Randy J's review, but it's really not possible. LOL. It's a really bad movie. And I can't even get into the horrible gay stereotyping. Not a thing illumined here, just keep moving past this one! Wow, it was bad.… Full Review »
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