- Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films
- Release Date: Oct 5, 2005
User Score
7.3
out of 10
Generally favorable reviews- based on 271 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 202 out of 271
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Mixed: 6 out of 271
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Negative: 63 out of 271
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Mar 22, 20110
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Jun 8, 20126this is a review. this is a review. this is a review. this is a review. this is a review. this is a review. this is a review. this is a review. this is a review. this is a review. this is a review. this is a review. this is a review.
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RickieJan 1, 20060I see everyone either loved or hated this movie. Put me in the camp that thought this was one giant boring movie made only by some good actors to collect a paycheck. Awful.
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DeirdreB.Jun 20, 200610
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wendyOct 19, 20050Hated this dysfunctional family especially the father and the older son. As for the boring tennis pro, all I can do is repeat his ONLY line throughout this dreadful movie...BROTHER! Yuk!
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LadyfingerJan 11, 20060Undeniably Real? C'mon undeniably boring is more like it. Movies are to be enjoyed and invoke the viewers emotions. This was tedious and prosaic in which I had no empathy or feelings for any of the characters. It was forgotten the minute I left the theater. Awful.
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ZakT.Jan 1, 200610Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney are excellent in their roles as self involved parents and all of the characters are written very realistically.
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DreJan 22, 200610Best film of the year.
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peters.Jan 7, 20062Shallow, single dimensional characters. very disappointing.
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AndrewC.Jan 8, 20069Doubt I'll see a better movie from '05.
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[Anonymous]Feb 3, 20069Brilliant writing, brilliant acting. Personal, unique directorial vision. Only weakness is slightly unambitious plot.
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MarkE.Apr 3, 20066
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D.A.FloydJul 2, 20062
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LisaDec 12, 20051
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SquallDec 15, 20051Can't understand the hype on this movie. It's only appeal is to snobbish intellectuals; but haivng said that, the relationship between the coming of age ex-wife and her dimwit boyfriend is simply laughable. As for the moronic husband and dysfunctional children the less said the better. This is a very prosaic movie and a waste of your time and money. In a word: Awful!
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DanBOct 23, 20056It's like a Wes Anderson movie, but with more "real" and "uncomfortable" and, yes, "honest" moments. Oh, and with less of everything else, including humor, good plotting, etc. I hope Anderson takes no cues from this guy... and that he doesn't write his next film with him, either.
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TeddyA.Oct 25, 20050
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RamonaC.Oct 25, 20051Went to see this on the recommendation of a friend. Usually, I find his opinions and recommendations excellent. As my father once told me, you can't win them all. Depressing amateurish film with two great lead actors. Not much to work with here. Sorry Stanley.
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SquallieOct 25, 20052Depressing film about a confused family with a horrible father and promiscuous mother. As a result, it is not unexpected that both brothers are totally screwed up. Filmed as if a documentary by a hand held camera with a great deal of meaningless dialogue thrown in. Everything is predictable and downright depressing. Not worthy of your time.
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JaredOct 20, 200510
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FrankB.Jan 1, 200610Thoughtfull, rigorous, funny and sad. Great acting with story the dares not wrap everything up perfectly neatly.
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PaulF.Jan 13, 20065
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TracyR.Jan 14, 20067
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AndyP.Jan 3, 20060Came away very unimpressed. Not worthy of your time or money. Avoid.
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HeatherW.Jan 3, 20063
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CongoGongoJan 9, 20060Refund!
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BillM.Feb 3, 20068A small, wonderful movie. Terrific script, beautifully acted. Highly recommended.
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BryanMar 27, 20069my only problem with this movie is that in 1987, there is no way that Walt plays "Hey You" and passes it off as his own and no one calls him on it until AFTER the concert is over. The Wall was huge at that point and someone would have noticed before the concert even started and said something.
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EkwW.Mar 31, 20068
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EvanS.Apr 15, 200610
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FredB.Apr 15, 20062
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kevinMay 12, 200610
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AdrianNov 16, 20057
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ReggierrNov 18, 20050Where is the young son when you need him. He should share his joy all over this movie as he did to the books, etc. Horrible.
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GregI..Nov 2, 20059A wonderful, funny, heartbreaking, original film with great performances and masterful direction.
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jimr.Oct 16, 200510Loved those darn characters.specially that wacky tennis pro. I'd give it an 11 if I could.
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FantasyOct 19, 20051
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DetroitOct 20, 20053Great acting but not much more. Depressing as hell and shot as if it were a home movie. Not worth your trouble.
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PaulH.Dec 17, 20051Great actors in a nonsensical role doing nothing. Nice if you pay to see this as all they do is rob and take your money. Much ado about nothing here.
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garheardOct 21, 20059Just because characters don't have the high-gloss sheen of a big-budget flick or lack the bland heroic qualities of typical protagonists doesn't make this a bad flick. To Fantasy and Wendy, I'd encourage you to see something "safe" like Just Like Heaven. For someone interested in real drama, with witty dialogue, flawed characters and a nifty little soundtrack, go watch this movie.
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MarthaR.Dec 24, 20058A cautionary tale for divorcing parents who consider themselves "intellectual."
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eleanorjOct 23, 200510Amazing film. hilarious and heartbreaking. best acting perfomances by JD and LL. rich characters - wanted to see more.
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JanetS.Oct 25, 20050
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JohnM.Dec 7, 200510One of my favorite films of the year. Baumbach's brilliantly written characters, every single one with devastating character flaws, are beautifully realized by the actors. A cinematic world I never wanted to leave, everything score with me so perfectly.
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ArnoldP.Oct 29, 20058A absolutely poignant and so personal account of children reacting to their parents breakup, that is of course flawed, but with an insight that the characters each portray touched me deeeply. It was compelling and painful to watch, sad and funny. Only serious filmgoers fare not a chick-flick or date movie but a well crafted cinematic play bya very talented writer-director.
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ChadS.Jan 13, 200610
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GeorgeJan 17, 20061The only good part of this film came at the end when you see the Squid and The Whale in the Museum of Natural History. A tour of the museum would have been so much for interesting than this lifeless bore of a movie.
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WilliamL.Jan 2, 20063Why the critics liked this is a mystery. Lame story, below average script, pointless, acting O/K. for material. 6 of us adults who went agreed.
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AnonymousMCOct 22, 20066Two-dimmensional characters.
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RolandGDec 6, 200610
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KyleW.Jan 29, 20062Analougous to Rent, why should one care about the parents!?
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GregWJan 5, 200610This was one of the most painfully funny movies I've ever seen. My parents haven't even gone through a divorce, and I related to it. It shows the first time you see your parents as humans, not some drone who is dull and gives you rules you don't understand. And Jeff Daniels' performance was nothing short of brilliant.
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GabeR.Jan 5, 200610Excellent.
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hopeJan 9, 20068
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ScottV.Apr 11, 20061
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SimonS.Apr 18, 200610Extremely well made movie. People, if you're going to watch an Indy movie you have to be open minded. Im really amazed it has a really low user rating. The movie deals with flawed human beings (like all of us) and is in a way quite redemptive and accepting. I loved it.
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BradP.Apr 19, 20069
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EdgarP.Apr 21, 20061Extremely unpleasant and ugly. You will have to shower after watching it.
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JohnB.Apr 3, 20061
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bernier.Apr 9, 200610Great movie.
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ChrisL.May 12, 20069
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DanL.May 4, 200610
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CamiK.Jan 14, 200710Brilliant, superbly acted, and rivetting throughout.
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HalB.Apr 4, 20078
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SteveMar 25, 20082
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DaveNov 16, 200510I knew Noah Baumbach was destined for great things after seeing "Kicking and Screaming" (no, not the one that was released earlier in the year!!) in the mid 90's. Daniels and Linney were great, as usual, and I agree the kids were also very good. I can really relate to this film since my parents also divorced. Keep up the good work Noah!
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msNov 24, 20059
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allyl.Nov 4, 20059Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney were great as usual but I was really impressed with the kids. They were terrific, not cutesy movie kids. I definitely recommend this movie.
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JanetteY.Nov 6, 200510Wow, one of my favorite films of the year! And what an appropriate title to keep me on the track of intrigue, watching the inner and outer battles and struggles each member of a broken home faces. Themes of foolish anger and insecurity trumpet from scene to scene. Indeed, a dramatic and psychological thriller that exposes human flaws a bold and unpretentious way.
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BrucutZ.Oct 19, 20059
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J.Dec 11, 20050This was so awful there aren't any words to describe it. Just your average dysfunctional family on the rocks and headed to oblivion.
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JeremyW.Dec 12, 20059
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TomSDec 12, 20052This was a movie with a great cast. But the film went nowhere. Not one of the characters was sympathetic, and not one of them grew in any sense during the course of the film. It was like watching 90 minutes of misery arriving at the insightful conclusion that "divorce is hard." Save your money.
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EdK.Dec 13, 20058Bizarre. Original & creative. Believable. Well-acted. I think those adjectives sum it up. You might love this film, or you might hate it. But if you're into "artsy" kinds of movies, you'll probably love it.
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ElizabethW.Dec 15, 20051Awful!
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FloydDec 16, 20050In an nutshell this film sucked pure and simple. Enough said.
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RobinOct 22, 20059Intelligent, real, inspired -- a nuanced, orginal take on the ol' growing-up-with-a-screwed-up-family theme, the parents flawlessly portrayed and the kids wholly believable. Gritty yet sympathetic. Wonderful filmmaking.
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bernier.Dec 27, 200510Great movie.
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RhettW.Dec 28, 20055I "get it", but I didn't enjoy being around these people.
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jarenm.Oct 24, 20059This movie has life in it. Complex, heartfelt, quirky, horrifying, loveable, humorous--that which defines family life. A beautiful film. However, if you want over-simplified stories about one-dimensional characters start going to movies with Wendy and Fantasy.
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SpongeeeDec 4, 200510I went into the film thinking that it was going to be a yuppy-cliche indie "liberal" film, but instead, I got a heart-felt, greatly crafted, shot, edited, and written film. All the characters draw you in and make you care about the film. Quality film!!! Brotha!!!
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ElizabethW.Oct 25, 20053Awful!
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BobA.Jan 16, 200610I'll never understand people who hate a movie because the characters are unlikable (I suppose that would also make Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Citizen Kane bad) as if the point of every movie is to make you like the characters. The story (with its, yes, awful characters) has something truly honest to say.
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ChrisM.Jan 22, 20069If you didn't like it you didn't get it. And that's just kinda too bad.
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D-fiddyMar 24, 200610I found this movie too be so completely honest and just downright amazing. I found my self entertained throughout and did not want it to end. Ends abruptly, but really wraps it up for you. A must see for any Wes Anderson Fans.
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JohnMar 26, 20061Vapid characters--vapid storyline--vapid sophmoric sexyality--vapid waste of time.
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JenM.Mar 31, 20068Not for everyone (it's pretty quirky), but I loved it. Brilliant acting, especially Daniels. Despicable character, but painfully realistic.
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AdamK.Dec 17, 20078it is hard to describe this movie..not for a couple having a bad week...but a great movie...you are sympathetic to this group but at the same time are kind of bewildered by their behavior. The parents are completely screwed up and they are passing down their problems to their kids...a great interplay of characters carrying out this story..netflix it.
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GilWNov 15, 20051I went to see this movie with great expectations, but left the theater with the feeling of being robbed. The acting boardered on amatuerish from everyone involved. The story was choppy and lacked fluidity. What movie were the critics watching? I was very bored and fought to keep myself awake.
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LeslieDec 31, 20050Pukesville!
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dadeNov 26, 200610Moving, troubled and beautiful. I still can't get over the fact that the father was played by the same guy who was forced to lock himself in the bathroom in Dumb and Dumber after accidentally consuming a large amount of laxative. Jeff Daniels was amazing.
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80Tender, cruel, and very funny, Baumbach's fourth feature turns family history into a sort of urban myth.
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80Baumbach crams an impressive amount of characterization and humor into 82 minutes.
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70Pic makes up in strong performances and wry observation what it sometimes lacks in narrative drive. Result is a perceptive (and unexpectedly moving) portrait of lives in crisis.