The Dying Gaul
User Score
6.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10

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  1. ChadShiira
    Oct 9, 2006
    6
    This film is the oddest thing. The three principal actors in "The Dying Gaul" play such appealing characters, but then they inexplicably stop being appealing after the set-up. The script starts to break down when the film makes its transition from a spot-on look at how Hollywood thinks to a psychological drama that has its talented actors trying to prove the old adage that people would pay good money just to see them read from a telephone book (in this case, their dialogue from a chat-room). [***SPOILERS***] Sometimes "The Dying Gaul" just doesn't make sense. In one scene, Robert (Peter Saarsgard) seems to have outed his tormentor, but in the next scene, he's caught off-guard and floored by a revelation we think is already established. When you get right down to it, Robert is pretty stupid, or rather; the screenplay made him that way. Robert gives his internet stalker pertinent information that could be used against him, in which he seems to have forgotten, when trying to identify the true identity of his chat-room poltergeist. This is a pity, because the opening scenes are almost as fun as Robert Altman's "The Player".… Expand
  2. SpankA.
    Nov 8, 2005
    8
    Flawless, macabre, Polanski-esque.
  3. katherines
    Nov 10, 2005
    10
    Utterly breathtaking, will stay with you long after you leave the theater, a beautiful haunting movie!
  4. JeffM.
    Nov 10, 2005
    4
    The acting is to die for. The house on the cliff is to die for. Peter Sarsgaard is to die for. But after the first third the plot rends into hole like Boston's Big Dig. Go, see it, really, if you've been curious. Then talk about other things.
  5. jakiek.
    Nov 7, 2005
    1
    Not good.
  6. olivaV.
    Nov 11, 2005
    10
    One of the most original and emotionally scary film i have seen in a long time. a wonderful accomplishment that everyone should see!
  7. P.Nicol
    Nov 9, 2005
    10
    Awesome...Crazy ending...but awesome!
  8. WayneB.
    Apr 12, 2006
    5
    An entrancing mess. Sarsgaard gives a shattering performance in an utterly senseless plot. There are so many logic leaps in the story that it becomes a pointless jumble wallowing in its own pretentiousness. But like a spectacular car wreck, you keep watching nonetheless. Sarsgaard will blow your mind.
  9. RhettW.
    Dec 28, 2005
    6
    A very watchable movie with three totally captivating performances, but not totally satisfying.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23
  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Bob Westal
    80
    The Dying Gaul is Craig Lucas's film directing debut, and it's impressive. The film never feels one bit like a stage adaptation.
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  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    70
    Before it disappears into a fog of confusion and damaging contradictions within its characters, The Dying Gaul presents an ironic, provocative look at what its creator, Craig Lucas, calls a postmodern Hollywood noir.
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  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Scott Tobias
    80
    Lucas' beautiful script and a trio of first-rate performances carry the material with an intermittently breathtaking urgency.
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