The Battle of Shaker Heights
User Score
5.4 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 7 out of 18

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  1. GriffinG.
    Aug 26, 2003
    8
    Among the more enjoyable filmgoing experiences of late. Witty, original dialogue and subtlely charming performances from a fine ensemble cast.
  2. CraigB.
    Aug 4, 2004
    4
    The dialogue is clunky, the relationships among the characters are unconvincing, and the plot is boring and predictable. The movie asipres to be either a sweet coming-of-age story or a teen sex comedy, but the movie never really gets out of its own weight. If Erica Beeney's writing can be judged on the basis of this movie, then she may have some promise but she is still making some amateurish errors in judgment (i.e., being a little too obvious when she trots out her research and spending too much time telling the viewer how to feel about things rather than letting events speak for themselves). The movie does get points for a decent performance by Amy Smart. The rest of the cast did what they could. Shia LeBeouf...I don't know, maybe he will win me over someday if he gets the right role but, for now, I'm still unconvinced.… Expand
  3. UnbearableLightness
    Dec 10, 2003
    2
    Had I not watched the entire season of Project Greenlight, I would have surely walked out of the theatre. I would have preferred to see either the drama the directors wanted to the dark comedy everyone else wanted. Shia's a punk, but I must admit, he's endearing in the film. Both points are for using the beautiful music of Matt Pond PA 3 times in the film (more points than should be given for music useage)… Expand
  4. BethE.
    Aug 31, 2003
    7
    Appealing movie..Shia is a phenom..and bottom line..it's better than 90% of the movies I have seen in the past year.
  5. HeatherL
    Jan 2, 2004
    10
    It couldnt be better shia is is a very talented actor.
  6. Joojoobee
    Aug 24, 2003
    0
    This was a waste of time. Didn't pay to see it (free screening) and I would have punished myself if I had paid by shaving with a 2 year old razor.
  7. L.Tate
    Aug 25, 2003
    9
    Loved the beginning. Top notch acting. The writing was brilliant, intelligent and at the same time incredibly charming. What?s not to like?
  8. TipsyMcBee
    Dec 15, 2011
    3
    If you had watched season two of Project Greenlight in making The Battle of Shaker's Height, then you're definitely going to see the many flaws within this film. Some of the performances were convincing like Amy and Shia's roles, but overall the film felt clunky and completely boring. This was a pretty forgettable movie and it's a shame that an original plot like this had to turn into a TV quality like movie.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
33 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 22
  3. Negative: 8 out of 22
  1. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Sean Axmaker
    50
    If there is a delicate story of forgiveness, friendship and family buried somewhere in Erica Beeney's script, Potelle and Rankin haven't managed to find it under the throes of empty rebellion and painless triumph.
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  2. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Angel Cohn
    60
    LaBeouf somehow manages to turn Kelly's self-centered behavior and irritating character quirks into a sympathetic lead, and the well-written script by newcomer Erica Beeney brings a lot of humor to some very touching moments.
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  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    63
    Surprisingly sweet and smart... LaBeouf does an excellent job, and the talented Beeney is one to watch.
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