The Brothers McMullen
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
view
per page
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Stack
    100
    Burns has created an endearing gathering of people we all know, and every one of them is so much fun that leaving the theater at the end elicits a touch of regret.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    90
    While other films struggle for their effects, Brothers simply lives and breathes, thoroughly likable from beginning to end.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Elvis Mitchell
    90
    This modest, enormously likable film, about love and temptation and ties that bind, is about brotherhood most of all. [9 August 1995, p.C9]
    All this critic's reviews
  4. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    90
    Good old-fashioned virtues of three-dimensional characters, fine dialogue, recognizable life situations and meat-and-potatoes content.
  5. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    90
    One of the most enjoyable experiences of the year.
  6. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Alison Macor
    89
    It is a rare treat of a film.
  7. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    88
    You don't have to be Catholic, or Irish, or even American, to "get it." Burns' language, despite originating on Long Island, is universal in appeal and meaning.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. SeamusM.
    8
    Burns captures the moral conflict felt by Irish-American males in this delightful treat of a movie. I wonder if this movie were about 3 Jewish brothers, would Lisa Shwarzbaum and the other 'baum', John Rosenbaum feel a little differently?… Full Review »
See all user reviews »