Critic Reviews
| 75 |
Christian Science Monitor
Henderson steals the show as an elderly African-American man befriended by one of the main characters.
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| 75 |
Boston Globe
The sweetly enticing Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire repays the bit of patience it asks.
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| 75 |
Chicago Sun-Times
Has a freshness and charm, a winning way with its not terrifically original material.
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| 70 |
Chicago Reader
Affecting and offbeat.
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| 70 |
Los Angeles Times
A film of much gentleness, tenderness and keen observation into the way laughter and pain have a way of colliding into each other.
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| 67 |
Entertainment Weekly
This sunny ode to brotherhood, made on a tiny budget, goes a fair distance on good vibes.
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| 63 |
Chicago Tribune
Marc Caro
Rarely ventures beyond familiar territory.
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| 60 |
Variety
Eddie Cockrell
Boasts a perceptive script, rich performances and date-movie appeal.
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| 50 |
Portland Oregonian
An unfortunate example of a small picture that feels small.
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| 50 |
San Francisco Chronicle
An appealing film with a hideous title.
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| 40 |
Austin Chronicle
Just sputters along, albeit pleasantly, while revisiting the realm of the abundantly familiar.
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| 40 |
TV Guide
The kind of film only a mother could really love.
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| 40 |
Film.com
In many ways the indie equivalent of your average multiplex action picture: fun and forgettable.
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| 38 |
New York Post
Much less a satisfying movie than an intermittently funny 90-minute acting audition.
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| 30 |
LA Weekly
The best I can say for Smiling Fish is that it's capable and pleasant, which ought to sound a warning note louder than if I'd said it was awful.
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| 30 |
The New York Times
Seems a little too desperate to be liked.
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| 20 |
Village Voice
In this visually malnourished film, quirks substitute for character.
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| 10 |
Mr. Showbiz
Strives for folksy charm but ends up just lying there like a plate of kippers.
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