This Must Be the Place
This Must Be the Place Image
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Metascore
61 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

Your Score
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  • Starring: Eve Hewson, Frances McDormand, Judd Hirsch, Kerry Condon, Sean Penn
  • Summary: Cheyenne is a former rock star. At 50, he still dresses 'Goth' and lives in Dublin off his royalties. The death of his father, with whom he wasn't on speaking terms, brings him back to New York. He discovers his father had an obsession: to seek revenge for a humiliation he had suffered. Cheyenne decides to pick up where his father left off, and starts a journey, at his own pace, across America. (The Weinstein Company)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 29
  3. Negative: 4 out of 29
  1. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Michael O'Sullivan
    Nov 12, 2012
    100
    Sean Penn makes a striking screen presence in This Must Be the Place, a smart, funny and original road movie by Italian director Paolo Sorrentino ("Il Divo").
  2. Arizona Republic
    Reviewed by: Bill Goodykoontz
    Nov 15, 2012
    80
    It's hard to imagine sitting through the film without Penn in the role of Cheyenne. But there he is, in all his intense, bizarre glory, almost daring us to come along for the ride and rewarding us with a compelling trip when we accept.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Sheri Linden
    Nov 1, 2012
    60
    If the movie doesn't entirely get past its hard-to-buy premise, director Paolo Sorrentino does have the courage of his convictions, not just embracing every contradiction but spinning many of the story's contrivances into moments of strange, aching beauty.
  4. indieWIRE
    Reviewed by: Eric Kohn
    Nov 1, 2012
    33
    Guided by an over-the-top Nazi hunter played by Judd Hirsch (clearly enjoying himself), Cheyenne begins a road trip through Middle American that goes nowhere, and Penn's mopey has-been routine starts to feel like a bad joke that just keeps getting worse.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. dm_punks
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm glad I came along for the ride with Cheyenne. This is one of the best trips I've ever taken. I realize that maybe this film is not for everybody, but for me it hits a lot of the right spots, including most of all, how everyone misunderstands everybody else. As the movie ended, it felt, as Cheyenne said, that "something's not quite right here. I'm not sure what exactly. But something...."… Expand
  2. MarcDoyle
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I completely understand where Joe Morgenstern is coming from in his pan of this film - and when I truly think about it, it's not a film of immense substance, and it doesn't make sense in many ways. But there's something about the way that Penn plays the role that connects with me. The portrayal reminds me of a friend, and perhaps that colored my judgement a bit, but I really feel like I need to see this film again. His ultimate treatment of the Nazi war criminal seemed a bit out of left field to me, and I'm sure it was meant as food for thought. It's the most disturbing movie in an otherwise genial, benign flick.… Expand
  3. teresita
    7
    Never in a million years would I have thought to see Sean Penn dressed as Robert Smith. Which catched my attention making me curious to see this film being a big fan of David Byrne and Robert Smith. This film is a perfect definition on an independent film since it's only for a specific audience who can appreciate misunderstood classic artist which Sean Penn does a perfect example of. The film had a great soundtrack and an unforgettable execution. This film isn't for everybody but I personally enjoyed it.… Expand
  4. DTDunn
    4
    This film was created solely to test those who rate films. If you gave it more than a 5 (out of 10) then you are too dumb to rate movies. There is nothing going on here. It is a waste of talent and should never have been green-lighted.… Expand

See all 6 User Reviews

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