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That Evening Sun
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Gary Goldstein
    100
    It's hard to believe, but Hal Holbrook, one of the stage and screen's enduring talents, has never had the solo lead in a feature film. That has been duly rectified with the actor's achingly memorable star performance in the superb That Evening Sun.
  2. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Scott Knopf
    90
    Halbrook absolutely nails the lead role of Mr. Abner Meecham, the headstrong farmer whose lips can't form the words "give up."
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Joe Leydon
    90
    Deliberately paced, richly atmospheric drama also boasts first-rate work by a splendid supporting cast and impressive production values.
  4. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    Watching Holbrook, I was reminded again of how steady and valuable this man has been throughout his career.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Frank Scheck
    80
    A moving if too-leisurely paced effort that benefits immeasurably from the superb performance by its 84-year-old star.
  6. Arizona Republic
    Reviewed by: Bill Goodykoontz
    80
    There is a predictability to the story, but that's OK. The acting is superb, Holbrook in particular, making That Evening Sun an understated pleasure.
  7. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    75
    There are a lot of grace notes in That Evening Sun, including Barry Corbin's hilarious work as Abner's neighbor, a vivid sense of landscape and a visually arresting climax.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    75
    Holbrook makes Abner a shining-eyed, noble crank.
  9. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Chuck Wilson
    70
    More than once, the director inserts a gooey flashback to a tender moment between the farmer and his late wife (Dixie Carter) that not only extends an already overlong movie, but also fatally undercuts the artful rigor of its leading man.
  10. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    70
    Hal Holbrook strips the stereotype of the grumpy old man of sentimental shtick and cutesy old-codger mannerisms.
  11. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    40
    Director Scott Teems' film is as quiet as untilled soil -- not always a good thing -- but Holbrook has a handle on where to dig.
  12. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Stephen Garrett
    40
    The grizzled veteran actor, naturally, elevates the material like a pro, yet the entire exercise feels thin and reedy, trading in geriatric sentiment instead of hard-forged emotion.
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